My Very Best Friend

My power was out for almost a full day after our snow storm hit.

The snow was falling and blowing so fast, I couldn't even get a picture.

don't know why it's so yellow but everything looked really pretty
- until the lights went out 5 minutes later -

My lights went out at night on Wednesday. It only snowed a few inches but it was a very heavy snow and took out tress and power lines and put most of DC MD and VA in the dark. Over 600,000 were without power for the past 2 days. I think some people still do not have power.

The house got very cold overnight. Not dangerously cold but uncomfortably cold. I couldn't even sleep. I went to work Thursday to get warm and to get a little work done. I only worked a 1/2 day because I was worried that the beast would be too cold.

When I came home I spent some time cleaning out a closet of mine. I have so much junk that just needs to either be thrown out or donated away. I actually found some boots that were a size 8. I don't ever remember being a size 8.
WHY do I have size 8 boot?!

Way in the back I found him. He was my very best friend when I was a little girl. I carried him everywhere. I even slept with him. I even had my mom teach me to sew so I could put a shirt on him. It's hideous but I didn't want him to be naked. :-) So, meet Snowfoot. He's scruffy and dirty but he's been that way for years.
I think my mom was afraid to give him a bath. I'm not sure he could survive a ride in a washer or dryer.

He's dirty and scruffy and isn't snow white any longer but there he was just looking back at me from the back of the closet. I thought he was gone. I haven't seen him in years.

I don't know how old I was when I stopped sleeping with him but I never got rid of him. He went to college with me. He moved to DC with me. He then moved to VA with me. Then at some point he disappeared. I'm not even sure why I put him in the closet. I probably did it after I got Tess.

When I first got her she ate a few things while I was at work. I actually have another stuffed animal tucked away in a dresser drawer because he needed to be protected.

I've been doing a happy dance ever since I found him. I know it's silly. I'm a grown woman. Why do I need a stuffed animal? Cause Snowfoot was my favorite animal in all the world and because deep deep down, some days I feel like I'm 6 years old and just want to curl up with him and go to sleep.

Tess no longer eats things I love. I think he'll be safe sitting on my bedside table while I'm at work. At least I hope so. We'll find out.

Purple Pumpkin Giveaway

Here's my shot at another giveaway. Purple Pumpkin is giving away some cool doilies and buttons. Here's hoping she'll pick my name out of the hat.

I really think these are cute.

Don't you?

Hooking for a Cause

Did I catch your attention?

Yes, I just used a shameless sex suggestion to get you over here.
They say sex sells and you what?
They are right.

Am I proud of myself?
You betcha!

There's a lovely woman by the name of Sarah who is collecting granny squares to make afghans for people who have lost everything in the Australia Queensland floods. I'm going to go home this weekend and in between working on my Valentines surprises I am going to hook some grannies for her to use.

Will you hook along with me?

NOVA Snow Storm

We are getting pelted with heavy snow. It looks pretty but was hard to photograph because of the amount coming down and the wind.

It took me 4 hours to drive 11 miles. It normally takes 20 minutes.

Soon as I walked in the door my power in the neighborhood went out. My power has been out for 2 hours now. House is becoming chilly.

Enjoy this pic for now.

Escape the Food Trap

My Food is my Comfort
I shall not want

It makes me to lie down with
Pints of Ice Cream

And leadeth me Beside
Milk Chocolate

Food Restoreth My Soul

It Leadeth me in the Path of Yumminess

For my Tongue’s Sakes

Yea Though I walk through
the valley of Dieting

I will Fear no Tofu

For Food is With Me

My Cupcake and Snacks They Comfort Me

They Preparest a Table for Me

In the Presence of My Jelly Beans

My Plate Runneth Over


“We were made to consume food but food was never supposed to consume us.”

I received my book, bible study and DVD study over the weekend. I’m reading this book and working the lessons. I’ll be blogging about the lessons and experience. I encourage you to join me. Let’s see where God will lead us through this book.

Sharing Some Love

I've already decided on my Valentines Project for this year, but I just came across this lovely blog and pattern idea the other day. I'm sharing it here for two reasons.


First, I really want to share the love.



Second, I may add a few of these style hearts to my gaggle of Valentines hearts that I am making.



Aren't these just beautiful? Go here for the pattern and enjoy!

I Was Robbed

I Had a Super Success last week

But I Couldn’t Enjoy it even a little bit....

I’ll leave a lot out, but suffice it to say I’m working on a project on my job at Company X with a man who has a major reputation for being lazy.

Last Thursday, was horrible day but it had a really good ending. I mean it was really good but I didn’t get to enjoy it. I feel like I was robbed.

To summarize the day I had last Thursday. It was just one road block and train wreck and lies from this slack-ass I'm working with after another.  On top of that it became clear that our customer was dropping the ball on quite a few things and the project was just getting screwed up.

I prayed all day long and kept telling the Devil that I didn't trust him.  It was a rough day.  I was so frustrated after work.  I didn't want to go to Small Group Bible Study at all. 

I ate Twix bar on my way out the door. 

I got down to the shopping center near church a little early so I stopped in Chinese restaurant and ordered some wonton soup and a dinner.  I ate less than 1/2 the dinner and boxed the rest up. 

I still didn't really want to go to group but I did anyway. 

I got 4 work calls while one of the women was giving her talk about her mission trip to Africa and then I got several calls from my mom.  I missed most of Jenny's talk.

I was angry, stressed, depressed, pissed. 

Afterward, I had to got to the grocery store for some dog food and other stuff.  I wanted to buy chips, cake, ice cream the whole nine yards.  I wanted to skip the grocery store completely.  I just knew that building was just loaded with land mines but I couldn't not go.  I was out of dog food and I knew the beasts would be hungry when I got home. 

So I went in picked up what I needed. Then I began wandering around the grocery store staring at the cakes, chips, snacks, etc.  I wanted something. I deserved it. I needed. I couldn’t have it. I can't even buy something with the intention of eating just a little. I'll eat it all. Even if its individually wrapped. I hate my relationship with food.

I successfully managed to get out of the store without buying any of that stuff. 

I felt awful.

Why?  Shouldn't I have been happy?  Yeah, I should have. 

Thursday was just so awful. 

I cried in the car the whole way home cause I was stressed and I really wanted some comfort food.

I WANTED IT! 

I can't trust myself around food so I ended up leaving the Chinese food in the car. I can’t even bring my leftovers in the house so it’ll stay fresh for lunch the next day.  I just knew I'd binge on it.  This made me mad too.

Mad at myself and mad at the food itself.

I cried some more after feeding the beasts and prayed.  I wanted to call my accountability partners but I didn't really want to talk I just wanted to cry.  I actually ended up crying on one of my dogs like she was a stuffed animal - Josie was utterly confused but stayed close by. 

I did finally calm down and pulled out my current crochet project and stayed up for a while crocheting and fielding more calls from the engineer and the customer. 

So, that’s what happened to me last week. It was so fantastic to be able to leave the grocery store and not but the junk but I feel like I was robbed. I have such an awful relationship with food that I feel like I was robbed of the joy of it all.

I did finally get my reward. Michael’s was having a sale on yarn. I’m a yarn-a-holic. Yarn yarn. I need more yarn. I bought a buttload of yarn and it only cost me $21.

I’m a happy happy girl.

Too busy to Blog

I haven’t blogged since this past Tuesday.  It’s been a while since I went that long without blogging.  I’ve been very busy with work and utterly exhausted once I got home.  I’ve been so stressed.  It’s not normal for my job to be this stressful.   

The stress was so bad that even when I had a success I didn’t have the energy to celebrate it or even enjoy it.  In fact, I still don’t really have time to write about it but I will later today or one day this week.  It’s a doozy and I really want to share my success with everyone.

The one thing I have time for is to crochet for at least 1 hour before bedtime.  I’m working on some special heart and valentine gifts for the ladies in my bible study.  They’re turning out really cute.  I can’t showcase them yet, but I’ve used two of the ideas that I had back on here.  Of course, I’ve made variations of each type of heart I decided on. I’m very much looking forward to sharing the end results. 

Ten for Tuesday - Accountability

So Today is the day that we “all” blog about the top ten things on our mind. Last week, I blogged my Top 10 goals for January. This week I was going to blog about something else, but I really can’t think of anything else, so may be I should blog about where I am on the list? This is not going to be easy ...


1.    I’ve been to the Gym once since posting this list. 
My bag with my clothes in it have been in my truck most days
but I can always come up with an excuse.   

2.    I haven’t started back to yoga yet for 2011.

3.    I do eat an apple, an orange and ½ a banana a day

4.    I do eat 1 yogurt each day

5.    Haven’t added the 1 dark veggie to my menu yet.

6.    I am walking the dogs after work each night.  I love my doggie time.

7.    Haven’t been to the track but I do keep bringing my clothes with me as if
I do intend to do this.

8.    I am testing my blood sugar at least twice daily again

9.    I’m still not sending my food logs to Robyn on a regular basis.

10.    I have started my Valentine’s Projects


Of all those things on my list, I am still not doing 1/2 of them.  Sigh..
I suppose it’s a good thing that today is only the 18th.
I read today that most people who haven’t started a new thing by the third Monday in a New Year (YESTERDAY) won’t.
So I really need to get into action if I’m going to do these things.



Blog about your ten things today then come back to me here and link up.

If you'd like to add the Ten on Tuesday image to your site,
visit CrafyLife, link up your ten things and snag the code for her image. 

Ta Dah! A New Hat

I finished another hat and scarf combo.  Pattern for the hat is below. The matching scarf is here.

I created this hat using Lion Brand Homespun Yarn
COLOR: Prairie
Hook Size: I - 5.5mm

LEGEND (US Terminology)
CH – chain stitch
SL ST – Slip Stitch
SC - Single Chain
HDC - Half-Double Chain
DC – Double Chain

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
CH 4 Join with SL ST

RND 1
CH 2
12 DC into the circle
Join with w SL ST (12)

RND 2
CH 2
DC in the same space as the CH 2 stitch
**2 DC in the next stitch**
Repeat in each stitch around
Join with SL ST (24)

RND 3
CH 2
DC in the same space as the CH 2 stitch
**1 DC in the next 2 stitches 2 DC in the third stitch**
Repeat around
Join with SL ST (36)

RND 4
CH 2
DC in the same space as the CH 2 stitch
**1 DC in the next 3 stitches 2 DC in the third stitch**
Repeat around
Join with SL ST (48)

RND 5
CH 2
DC in the same space as the CH 2 stitch
**1 DC in the next 4 stitches 2 DC in the third stitch**
Repeat around
Join with SL ST (60)

RND 6 - ?
CH 2
**1 DC in the next stitch**
Repeat around
Join with SL ST (60)

Keep repeating RND 6 until the hat is the height/size desired. 

BORDER -- LAST 2 RNDS
CH 1
** 1SC in each DC**
Repeat around for 2 RNDS
Join with SL ST

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Ta Dah! A New Scarf

The scarf is taken from one of my favorite bloggers Sharon at Laughing Purple Goldfish. She has this scarf titled One-Hour Scarf I made a few adjustments:

I didn’t use a big a hook as she did.
My first row I used 100 SC
Then created 6 rows for the scarf.

This yarn is so pretty, I'm really pleased at how it turned. out.

I was watching TV while doing this and it actually took me about 2 hours.

 

Here is a photo with the matching hat.  You can find the pattern for the hat here.  

Looking for Inspriration

I follow some really creative bloggers.  TangledHappy highlighted Carina and her creativity today.  I'm already a follower of Carina and I love her creativity.  I enjoy this post about jar cozies so much that I am going to share it today too.   These cozies would be great around jam or candle jars.  It would make for a nice gift. 

 

Carina's Craftblog: Crochet tutorial: jam jar cozy: "As promised, the crochet jar cosy tutorial. You can use one or more colours to suit your taste. I think it is nice with atleast a couple of..."

Top Ten Tuesday

Today is Top Ten Tuesday. I got the idea from Crafty Life. Today's the day when you blog about whatever's on your mind...random info about you, events going on in your life, a top ten list, ten pictures, whatever...so long as it is 10 items! Then come back to her site and mine to link up and share!

So, here goes. My Top Ten Goals for January:
1. Go to the Gym 3 times a week.
2. Go to Yoga on Mondays
3. Eat 1 apple a day
4. Eat 1 yogurt a day
5. Eat 1 dark colored veggie a week
6. Walk the dogs once a day
7. Run at the track once a week
8. Test blood sugar twice a day
9. Log food and send it to Robyn
10. Finish my Valentine’s Projects

I don't have pics to go with each item. May be I'll add some photos later.

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Pretty in Pink

I think I need to learn to read or speak Dutch.
I follow a blog from a really creative woman Claire

Check out this photo below and then go check out her post today.

I'm not sure of the materials she used - because I can't read/speak Dutch - but it looks like she crocheted with colorful shoe laces.

 

Aren't they just beautiful?

Blog it Forward

Tuesday is Blog it forward day.
Check back Tuesday for more info on what that means.
Until then

Button Button Who's Got the Button...

Sue does.  She's making these lovely buttons you see below.  Aren't they just the cutest?  

She's doing a giveaway for the next few days.   

Check out her post  

Follow her instructions.  

You may be a lucky recipient of some of the lovely buttons. 

Check out these stats..

One of the blogs I follow posted some stats about her site and it got me to wondering.  Blogger provides stats for your site.  I found it interesting that even though I only have a few followers, I have viewers from all over the world.  Check out these stats.

United States	736
United Kingdon	46
Russia	39
Canada	21
China	15
France	15
India	14
Australia	8
Brazil	7

Pets need checkups too.

Have to extend some cool credit to the DC Ladies for a great write-up this morning about the importance of vet appointments for your pets.  Here's an Except....  The entire article is here.

========================================

Annual Exams are important for pets too!

As we welcome in 2011 now is a good time to make sure your pets are up to date on vaccines and check when their next annual exam is due. Regardless of age all pets should see a veterinarian every year for an exam. At this appointment we will perform a complete physical exam that includes:

• Evaluating your pet’s teeth to look for dental disease
• Listening for a heart murmur which could indicate underlying heart disease
• Assessing weight and body condition
• Manipulating joints to check for arthritis

=========================================

39 Days Until ... Are you Ready?

Are you thinking about Valentine's Day yet?

There are only 39 days until Valentine's Day. That seems like a long ways off but it'll be here before you know it. The Christmas decorations and wrapping are barely put away and already you've got to be thinking about that day. How will you celebrate it this year? This year I think that instead of self-sabotaging myself into a depression about being single and how this is really just a Hallmark holiday anyway, I think I'll do something creative. I'm thinking of making some gifts for my friends and family. I've been searching for heart patterns on Ravelry. I've found several that I like. I certainly would like some opinions on them.

That is if anyone is listening. Are you out there? Are you getting me?

Well, anyway, here are my choices so far.

BellaDelia Hearts

Granny Hearts

Tiny Hearts

I write like

Another Political Blog posted that he had input his info into a site and it told him what author he writes like. So, I decided to do the same thing. I wanted to see if it came up with anyone I knew. I did it with the content from three different posts I have written. Here's what the site told me.

I write like
Cory Doctorow

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

I have to confess I don't know who this is.

I write like
David Foster Wallace

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

I don't know him either but the name is familiar. May be I should Google him. Hmmm....

I write like
Dan Brown

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

Now him I know.

I wonder if it's a good or a bad thing that each post and each day I write with a different style. Is it important to develop a writing style?

A bowl full of lemons.: Getting prepared for the 21 Day CHALLENGE!

So, even though I'm behind I am beginning well.  Tonight on my way home I will be stopping in at the Dollar Store to see if I can get some of the supplies she recommends there.  I have a lot of decluttering to do so if I shop at Target or Walmart (as cheap as they both are) I'm likely to still go broke with supplies.  

A bowl full of lemons.: Getting prepared for the 21 Day CHALLENGE! ...: "The '21 days to Getting Organized Challenge' is starting in 3 days, so this post will help you to be prepared! Checklist 1.  Round up..."

21-Day Challenge - I'm already behind

So, here I am wondering what to post about today. I don't do resolutions. Too much pressure and too much disappointment when, like many people, I only last a day or two and then quit. I was reading one of my favorite blogs - CrazySocks - and saw that she's doing a 21 day Get Organized Challenge. Getting and being organized is a serious challenge for me. I've always been a little disorganized. Over the past years when I slipped into depression it got worse. I've gotten into a bad borderline hoarding habit of keeping too much of everything just about everywhere. It's hard to backtrack this and clean up an already cluttered life. So, I'm going to take on this challenge. I'm already two days behind, but our first step is to announce what we're doing and then post a link/button to the challenge. So, please click below and join the world in the 21 Day Get Organized Challenge.



When I go home today, I will be starting with Day 1 - The Junk Drawer. Which one to choose from though. I think I'll start with the junk drawer in my bedroom.

I hope you'll join this challenge. Will you?

And so it begins -- Top 10 of 2010

One of these days I’ll stop saying “tomorrow.” Tomorrow comes and goes too quickly. So, my assignment to all the other day was to list your Top 10 of 2010? Did you do yours? Were you able to come up with 10? I got this idea from my therapist actually. See, I have a tendency to focus on the negative things in my life and around me. So, the assignment is to focus on what I have accomplished. I came up with quite a bit, but surprisingly NOT 10 things. Weird. I may have to think about this just a little longer. So, here we go.

My Top 10 of 2010

1. Found a new job - I found out in March that the contract I was on was abruptly ending and that my company was going to terminate me. JUST - LIKE - THAT. I had 2 weeks to find a new job either somewhere else in that company or someplace else. Well, if they actually thought I was going to look inside a company that was going to let me go so quickly, they’re just crazy. So, I got on the phone with everyone I know and sent my resume me out to everyone and their grandmother. In less than 2 weeks I had me a new job. Whoo! It was a stressful 2 weeks but being unemployed in March 2010 would have been tragic.
2. Lost 35 pounds - I can’t help but think I really wanted to lose more but I LOST 35 pounds and have managed to keep it off. With a few ups and downs but off nonetheless.
3. Stellar Birthday - I turned 40 in June. I always thought that 40 would be a terrible depressing birthday like 30 was. I’m glad to have turned 40. For the first time in a long time the actual birthday day and birthday gathering wasn’t depressing. I’ve had so many disappointing birthdays I just assumed that 40 would be more of the same. I’ve turned a corner in my life. My life isn’t ending. My life has just begun. Looking forward to what the rest of 40. Having a June birthday means that I literally still have 1/2 a year before I hit the next birthday. So I still have time to do things with my 40. Looking forward to what 41 and so-on will bring.
4. Crochet - I counted up the pictures of all the crochet projects that I create this year. I made 40 different projects. Actually, I think it’s more like 50 or 60 but I only got pictures of 40 projects. I made hats, scarves, dish clothes, pot holders, baby blankets and Christmas ornaments. What’s surprising, is that I still have a boat load of yarn leftover.
5. Posting project patterns - I have created 3 unique projects. These are projects that didn’t come from a pattern in a book or on a website. So, I decided write up the patterns and post them online for others to use. Not that big of a deal, but I like the idea that someone my come across one of my patterns on Ravelry and make something or be inspired to make something unique of their own.
6. Races - I participated in my first official 5K race on May 2010. This was a timed race. By runners standard, my time was awful. I walked the 5K distance and finished in about 1hr 32min. It was an exciting day. When I reached the end of the route, my whole body ached. I wanted to quit. I wanted to just go back to my hotel room and curl up. Then I rounded the last short bend and there were these people. Strangers. People who somehow knew I was there alone. These strangers were not about to let the heavy walker girl finish without someone cheering her on. So I crossed the finish line with about 10 people I’ve never met before and never seen again cheering me on. I was fantastic! I’ve done 3 races since. My time hasn’t increased greatly but every time I do one I get better and better. 
7. Health - Well, at the risk of focusing on a negative, I’m not as healthy as I wanted to be BUT I am healthier than i was 1 year ago today. My BP is better, my blood sugar is better, my breathing is easier, my attitude is better and I’m sleeping better. It’s all good. (even if it isn’t as far or good as I wanted to be)
8. Marathon - In a moment of insanity I registered to walk the Dick’s Sporting Good Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon. I’m still not confident that I will actually be able to walk the 13 miles in 4 hours. I’m not even sure I can walk 13 miles in 1 day, but alas I’m registered and still focusing on it.
9. Debt and Money - I’m still in debt (oops - that’s a negative) but I am making great progress in chipping away at it. I have eliminated all but 1 piece of debt. I’m still digging out of HELOC debt but it is the only piece of debt I have left. As part of the plan, I met with a financial counselor/friend who works for Primerica on the side. She did an analysis of my income, debt, savings, 401K, etc. She printed out this report that let me know that I’m on track for eliminating my debt and on track for retirement. Whoo! This was a relief. I’ve always wondered whether I was putting enough away so that 1 day I can retire.
10. Class Reunion - I attended my 22th high school class reunion event. Being a generally self conscious person this was a challenge. Was I thin enough? Was I interesting enough? Would I lighten up enough to enjoy the night. I thoroughly enjoyed the night. As a result of going to this event, I am closer to some of these old high school friends. It was a fun night and I feel like I have actually gained a few new friends.
11. Vacation - For the first time I went on a major vacation by myself. I spent a week in Nags Head, NC. I haven't felt confident enough to go on a regular vacation trip . It was a fun week. So much so that I already booked my vacation for 2011. I’m very much looking forward to taking the dogs with me again and heading to the beach year after year.
12. Sold the BMW - This should probably be linked with the #__ above but it really is a special event. The decision to get rid of my BMW was a hard one. I really didn’t want to. I liked the way that car handled but since I didn’t drive it all the time, the battery was always dead and the check engine light was always on. This eliminated $18K of debt - instantly. Once I did it, it felt great. A huge weight taken off my shoulders.

OK. So that’s twelve (12) things. Not bad for a year in reflection. Should I rename this post since it's more than 10? Nah, let's just leave it at - I kicked some Top 10 ass in 2010.

2011 has begun. It's time to start building the Top 10 of 2011. What shall I do first....