Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Ten Thought Tuesday

I got this from Lisa at Kssnnikkel. I have been struggling with posts and finding this kind of fun on another blog helps. So, I'm going to dig deep and see if I can come up with ten things going on in my life and in my mind....

1. The weather is absolutely awesome. I've had the windows open for the last two days. I'm anxious for the leaves to really start turning, so I can maybe take a day trip to Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

2. I've been working on Christmas presents. I bought some of the canvas bags, like I painted for myself and am trying to personalize them for gifts.

3. I have been searching for the perfect fabrics for creating decor for the baby's room. LeLe and I can find what she wants, but purchasing them is not as easy as it should be.

4. Speaking of LeLe, she has been experiencing all the symptoms of the first trimester. Especially fatigue. We are hoping that gets better in the next month or so.

5. My nephew is getting married October 24th. Getting a preacher has posed a problem, but they finally got it all lined out. I am helping host a very small family shower for the bride to be on October 11th.

6. I watch a lot of HGTV in the daytime. I've noticed that the biggest part of it has been on more than twice. Every great once in a while I'll catch something I haven't seen.

7. I paid our last installment of taxes this morning. Ugh.

8. This time of year, I'm usually planting mums and doing a little fall gardening. Being unemployed has curtailed that, due to low cash flow. Sacrifices have to be made.

9. We found out a couple of weeks ago, SR's niece is also expecting. She is due in May.

10. I had my hair cut last week. It is now layered and I've been wearing it natural without drying it. It is just curly enough to get by with that I think. I haven't tried to dry it to see what it will look like straight yet.

Nothing amazing or surprising, but I was able to think of ten things.

Friday, September 25, 2009

One Project Accomplished

Take a look on Seam Rippers at the shadowbox picture I created.

I tried to find the webpage where I first found the idea, so you could view that, but was unsuccessful.

I feel good about finally finishing something. I have several projects in the works, but every time I think I have everything I need to finish one, I find something missing. Still, this is one down and I'm happy about it.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

It's Not Working

Ok, I wanted to use the title "The Gym Isn't Working" but there is a blog with that name and I didn't want to cause any problems. But,

the_gym_isn't_working...

I lost all of two pounds the first two months. And yes, I know muscle weighs more than fat, so that didn't bother me too much. But it's been three months, and I've gained a half pound. I work out consistently at least three times a week, I don't eat junk, I choose healthy food MOST of the time. There are times when I do treat myself to a little sugar. And I watch my portions. Even SR comments on how little I eat. I was advised that maybe I wasn't eating enough, but trust me, I stay hungry all the time, so I am eating often enough. You would think I would lose at least a pound a month wouldn't you? Even with the building of muscle. It's very frustrating and makes it very hard to keep on keeping on. Still, I'm doing it and decided to try to at least walk for 20 minutes when I don't go to the gym. I did take today off, just because I'm so tired and felt like I needed a break. I don't want to break myself down.

My normal routine is to get on the elliptical first and go at a brisk pace for 30 minutes. I then work on the weight machines for about 10 or 15, working my upper and lower muscle groups. Before I leave I walk on the treadmill for a mile or until my feet or back decide I've had enough. Sometimes I wind up working for an hour, but most of the time it's really about 50 minutes or so. I decided to change things up, so I worked on everything Monday but yesterday, I just walked on the treadmill and worked my upper body. I planned to do the elliptical and lower body today, but was just too darn tired.

I have been reading a diet that my cardiologist suggested and follows. I am no dieter, and they never work for me. I decided months ago, to make a life change, as they say, and I choose nuts, fruits, whole wheat products, etc. Along with lean meat and lentils. Yes, I do eat some beef on occasion, and I've added more tuna to the list, eventhough I really don't like it unless it's mixed up with Miracle Whip and relish. I didn't even eat what I cooked for SR last night, because it was beef and potatoes. Not a good combination, but his heart is strong as an ox and his cholesterol is at the level most folks would love to have.

Yes, I can see where some of my muscles are toning up nicely. That doesn't make me feel any better, when my clothes are still too tight. And my body shape seems to be changing so what does fit, fits differently and not in a good way. So, here I am again, whining about it. I know I can't change a year of weight gain in three months, so I'll get some rest today, and start again tomorrow. Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Random Fun

This is the art created by the Random Art site, when I typed in Soggy Saline River Bottom as a title.


Owl and Pussycat


The title Papa Red created a simple solid gray square. Not very interesting.

Owl Diaries


Hooty Owl
If I try hard enough, I can see a little owl in there...

Kitty Bird


As you can see dear friends, I had nothing to do this particular evening.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Feeling a Little Guilty

I haven't posted much lately. I can't think of anything interesting going on other than the coming baby. My days are busy, but not fodder for blogging. Let's see...

I've been doing a bit of cleaning and organizing. I am not obsessive, regardless of what LeLe might think, it's just that we are expecting the termite inspector any time now. I hate to think he has to push junk and dust out of the way to inspect inside the house. One of my closets resembled the cartoon where you open the door and everything falls out. I had to get that taken care of. And I find that the older I get, the less I can deal with chaos and clutter.

As I have mentioned before, I've been reading The Purpose Driven Life every day. One chapter a day for 40 days. I'm on day 29. There are so many truths in this book. If you haven't read it, I highly suggest it. It seems to be giving me at least one wake up call every chapter. Something applies to my personal issues in every chapter. God sure knows what He's doing. The hard part is applying that truth and following through.

Is it too soon to act like fall is here? I know it officially begins on September 22, but it seems like the leaves are beginning to turn early this year. With such a mild summer, everyone has been speculating on a cooler fall, but the local weatherman says there's no indication of that. I did put out my fall flag yesterday, and am anxious to bring out the autumn decorations.

I'm having to reign in my exuberance for all things baby. It's only the 6th week of LeLe's pregnancy and I am having to hold myself back. Sure don't want to make her mad at me, and it really is too soon to be buying much. She seems to be feeling pretty good all things considered. I hope and pray it holds for the duration.

Football season has begun and I miss going to the games to watch J play. Fortunately, I was able to go watch one of my nephews play a scrimmage game recently. Another of my nephews will be playing in Sheridan on the 17th and he's asked me to come watch. Of course I'll be there. How could I not?!

I've been transcribing a book for the Cleveland County USGenweb site. It is a book of minutes of an old church. I had several ancestors listed in the book. Not the least of which are two gr-great aunts who were thrown out of church for dancing and not being sorry for it. How funny. From what I have read in this book, that little church and those folks were very intolerant of anything they perceived as "unchristianlike behavior."
Anyone who is interested in family history would be delighted to see listings of names and important dates, in reference to so many of their ancestors. My Bell, Bearden and Wilson kin are all listed in this particular book. I was blessed to have been given access to it.

I haven't done any sewing or painting in the last couple of weeks, but intend to get back to it shortly. I plan to go to Hobby Lobby on Monday and find some fabric. I have plans to make some personalized Christmas gifts and I need to get a move on.

I've continued to go to the gym and work out. I am definitely able to see results in how I look and feel, if not in how much weight I've lost. According to the scale, not much has changed, but in looking in the mirror, I can see a difference.Everyone keeps telling me muscle weighs more than fat, so I'm holding on to that. There's no way I will ever be small again, without starving all the time and working out till I'm exhausted. So, I've have to focus on just eating healthy, (as I've been working on for the last year or so) and getting enough cardio activity to strengthen my body. It has helped my attitude as well. That's always a plus.

And that has been my life for the last little while.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Long Awaited

After quite some time at the wishing well, I can finally say the words I've been longing to say.....

I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMOTHER!

There! Wow! Hot Diggity Dog! Yee Haw! LeLe and MK are having a baby. I haven't come down yet. And it's getting pretty wobbly up here on the cloud without much solidity under feet. To read her post about it, click here. Needless to say, the entire King and Winston clans are happy campers today.

We are so blessed. God is so good, and I know He has a plan for this little one already..."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;" Jeremiah 1:5.

You think while you are growing the little one in your womb, that time just drags, but before you know it, the bundle of joy has arrived and you become busier than you've ever been in your life. And those of you who have been through it know exactly what I'm talking about. It's just a good thing that the two "Grandmas" are readily available to help hold that baby. It's a hard job, but we are up to the task.

Congratulations my darlings. We can't wait for the arrival of our precious one.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Tiredness

Getting old. Body just doesn't want to do 'stuff' any more. Unfortunately, 'stuff' must be done.

SR and I spent Saturday evening and all day Sunday helping J and his girlfriend paint in his house. God bless her, she worked so hard, and never uttered a complaint. The stretching, reaching, scooting, bending and lifting just about put me in the bed. And I'm not real happy about that. After going to the gym for 2 months, I didn't think it would be that bad. SR was a bit slow yesterday as well.

There were borders in the three bedrooms we had to remove. Two bedrooms were the normal aggravation, but the third bedroom nearly sent us to the nut house. The previous owner must have decided to use super glue or a bonding agent because it just would NOT come off. SR spent hours scraping and finally got it off enough that we could sand (yes sand) the residue smoothly enough to paint. Sweet girlfriend painted that room by herself yesterday.

So yesterday, SR and I laid around, not accomplishing much. I forced myself to rally in the afternoon, and cooked some supper. I also started making copies of some patterns LeLe loaned me. I'm using wrapping paper to make duplicates, so we can share the patterns without wearing them out. It's a long process, but one that will be well worth the effort. Especially since the wrapping paper I'm using is very thick. I will scan the instructions and print them out.

I was hoping to have a new canvas bag put together by now, but the paint episode has delayed me and I'm hoping to rally today. Housework, gym, bag, supper, Bible reading...daylight's burning folks.... I hope I can get it all done.