Bikini Bootcamp

I've finally realized that I will not get back down to my 117 pound self if I don't do anything about it. After having my son, I gained a lot of weight. I half heartedly have attempted losing that weight every now and again by committing to programs I don't finish or not attending weight watchers meetings I swear I'll go to.

Weight had never been a problem for me. I was always so super skinny. I was very comfortable being underweight. I don't want to look so freakishly skinny as I use to be. (Many people have said they thought I was anorexic or something equally as offensive.) You can't win. Either you're too skinny or too fat. I've always been hurt because either way people feel the need to criticize you for either.

I've just decided that I want to be happy in my own skin, able to wear the clothes I like, and eat and exercise in a healthy way.

COKES!!!! They are my crux. I have always grown up drinking a fountain drink a day. After joining this bootcamp, cokes are not part of my "allowable foods." That has been the hardest part of bootcamp.

Oh yeah... I didn't even mention my bootcamp. I signed up at Gold's with a trainer who is doing a Bikini Bootcamp. She's pretty hard core about it. It keeps me accountable though, which is exactly what I needed. I have a list of supplements I am suppose to take, food I can eat (not exceeding 1300 calories a day,) and I get emailed daily workouts. We meet at the gym or have outdoor workouts as well. In addition to that I bought one of those Nike+ sensors to log my running. I hate cardio! But I like seeing progress and keeping track of what I've done, so it motivates me. My asthma bothers me quite a bit, but I'm hoping that will start to go away the more I run/walk. My knees, too... have been KILLING me. My chiropractor has given me some extra exercises to do that will help build muscle and take pressure off of my knees.

I am so tired of feeling tired. I feel like one of those mom's in a Suave commercial who has let herself go. I really want to get out of this rut, so fingers crossed... I'm hoping this will be a turn of a new leaf.

My new goal is to run the Komen 5K this September in honor of my Granny who passed away from breast cancer. I always walk the fun walk, but this year I want to try to run it. Baby steps since I just now started being able to run a complete mile without walking. I'm hoping I can do it for her. I'm not a runner nor fast when I attempt it. I just want to be able to do it regardless of how long it takes me.

I'll keep you posted on any struggles or successes with this bootcamp.

So... It's Been A While

We have been swamped, and I haven't had time to update this blog. I've been working on my son's birthday party and had made these crayons like I did for Valentine's. They are little space invaders since he is wanting a spaceship party. I found an awesome tutorial on doing a spaceship out of cardboard boxes. Pix to come should this be successful...


They just got the acrylic sign put up for the logo I did for Central Church of Christ. Not the best pic since I took it with my iphone... but there you go.

Super Easy Valentine

I needed a gift for the grandparents from Tyson. I found this idea on The Wonder Years and loved it. Tyson had a hard time pressing his fingerprints, so I had to help him push down. Other than that, this was something he could do primarily by himself. I love them and think I'm going to keep a couple for myself.

Happy Luv Day

I have been having so much fun doing Mommy-ish things for my son. It's honestly been one of the most creative outlets I've ever had. There are countless fun things to do because, hey... that's what you're suppose to do!!! I can blame almost any fun activity on it being a requirement for toddlerhood. Is that a word?

For lil' man's valentines I wanted to stay away from sweets. He had already brought home so many sweets. I also wanted him to be a part of the process. It's no fun for him if Mommy is making everything for him.

I did a lot of searching on the web and found some super cute ideas. I especially loved these ideas from The Crafty Crow. She did a great job of rounding up wonderful and inspiring Valentine ideas. However, this isn't where I originally found the idea to melt crayons into heart shape molds. I found that here at The Long Thread. Another one of my fave blogs!!!

My little guy loved breaking up the crayons and placing them in the heart molds the particular way he wanted them. He also enjoyed watching them melt. Boys love to destruct things. After they cooled, they turned into these marvelous crayons with beautiful swirls and color combinations.


For my part, I have been crocheting these little love birds for my nieces and nephew. (And of course for my son!) I am just learning crochet, so this is a nice beginner project. They have wonderful free patterns on Lion Brand.

Anywho.... those are just a couple of things we have worked on for our sweethearts. Hope you and yours have a blessed Valentine!

Lately

I'm so not good at posting on my blog... These are a few of the things I've been working on lately. For Halloween I sewed mr. man a costume out of fleece which was horrible to work with. He was Max from Where the Wild Things Are. A friend sent me a link to a tutorial for the hat on Instructables. The jumpsuit was an old pattern I found on etsy for $3 for flannel pjs. Worked out pretty well.




I've been wanting to learn how to knit and crochet for a long time now. I tried a little bit of knitting, and I made my husband a huge ass scarf he will never wear. lol... Crocheting so far seems so much easier. I still haven't perfected it, but my first project was little beanies for the nieces. This one I was happy with. Practice makes perfect! I ordered the pattern on etsy. This girl's patterns rock because not only are they inexpensive, easy to read, and delivered electronically.... she also will allow you to sell what you make using her pattern.




I've also found some projects on ravelry.com I'd like to give a whirl, but for now, I think I need to get started on the advent calendar I want to make before December gets here. I really dig this felt kit I found, but I obviously won't have time to do that before the end of the month. Last year I was pretty ambitious with my son's felt kit stocking, and I had no idea how long it would take. It truly takes patience.

Anyway, those are a few of the things I've been working on. Not terribly exciting but still fun!

Diaper Bag

This is a diaper bag I am working on for a friend. (Hoping she likes it.) The bag turned out larger than I expected, but I think that will be great to hold lots of schtuff. (Amy Butler pattern and fabrics.) I chose this pattern because you can swing it over your shoulder & it doesn't have a difficult zipper. Everything is accessible right there, which you can't believe how much easier that makes your life when you have a baby. Plenty of room for diapers, clothes, binkies, wipies and bottles. And of course any lovies... This isn't a tutorial; just a quick overview of some of the "checkpoints."

I chose this as the exterior fabric because she is having a boy. But, you still want your bag to be girlie a bit... You're the one carrying it. Blues, browns, greens... boyish. And it can afford to get dirty.


This is the lining fabric. This bag took for friggin ever. Mostly because it had layers and layers of fusible fleece and interfacing to make the bag sturdy. Lots of measuring, cutting, piecing and ironing. I HATE cutting. But, I love sewing.


Working on the pockets in the interior. Major pain. Darts, box pleats, lots of basting.


Pockets finished! Now just to sew them into the interior.


Now bottomless, but the interior is almost finished.


Finished exterior. Went much more quickly than the interior. Only one outside pocket. Other than the darts, pretty easy.


Completed interior.

And once again, completed bag. I truly hope she likes it. If not, I killed about $100 and many many hours. But I had fun doing it!

Superhero

I finished the cape I've been working on for Liam. I got the tutorial here:http://thelongthread.com/?p=98

I've been praying about a ministry that I've been welcomed to join and God gave me the following scriptures:
Psalm 125:4 "Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts."

Jeremiah 17:8 "For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."

Galations 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."