Sunday, March 29, 2009

Jammer Time

I did these in one nite. I had to get them to the girl who was giving me the jammer supply. I believe she will use them as prizes in her classroom. And I just received a big bundle from my son's teacher last week so I need to get some made up for him. The one problem I am facing is the straps. Up till now I have been using left over strapping, cutting fabric belts apart. Even used an old seatbelt, just folded it in half and sewed it. But now I am out of a durable strap material. So if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I hate to buy stuff when the whole point of this exercise is recycling.

Went on a girls' weekend and had a total blast. We laughed, ate a pile of junk food and shopped till we dropped. Now I am sleep deprived, sore tummy, behind on household chores etc... but it was all worth it!
But just to be safe, I don't think I will get on the scales for a bit=)

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

BRING IT ON!!!

Not sure how to start this one, have alot to tell. I had an 8 km run to do this week as part of my schedule. It was supposed to be at the end of the week, but from Wednesday on, I am pretty booked up. Plus I HATE having something hanging over my head, I just want to dive into it. I skipped supper and got on and put myself in the mindset, not to try and sprint but to just run. I did do 500 m at one pace then 500 m at another pace to make the km go by. And here it is.... at 8 km, I decided to keep going and I did 10km! Yep ran the race right there on my treadmill.

Now I have to tell you, you may have noticed I have been somewhat negative about this whole running experience. It didn't hit home until a friend of mine said, 'You are complaining about running the way I complained about P---n---y.'
That really made me think, because let me tell you, if you knew this person or know me, you would have heard me talk about how miserable she was, and if you knew her, you stayed away. I made it challenging for you, you have to figure out the word and as soon as you do, you will instantly know who I mean. Thankfully she has a good sense of humour, and if she doesn't in this case, she gets over things really fast.

Having said all of this, there are still some negative thing about running that I do feel good getting off my chest. So I thought I would do it this way.

Cons:
1.
2.
3.

Pros:
1. I think I will ask the race coordinator if someone can just run along backwards ahead of me holding a tv, cause I seem to do well watching 'Ellen Degeneres'.
2. Having a great physiotherapist does wonders, my knee doesn't hurt now.
3. I think I probably burnt alot of calories.
4. I took 12 minutes off my time when I ran the 10km once before in the summer.
5. It wasn't that bad.

Monday, March 23, 2009

To Bead or Not to Bead

Let's start with that first. I am doing some beadwork on a quilt, well, quite a lot. I thought I had purchased several containers of this type, but was mistaken, I only have 2. It is going to be nip and tuck. I have reduced myself to looking between the couch cushions for any that may have fallen. And believe me, that is scary, you never know what you will find there. That is my quilting story to date, I am beading 1 1/2 hours each nite. I have 13 objects to do and it takes me that long to do one. I am hoping to be done in 3 weeks, as I am out some nights coming up etc.

Now I know you are dying to hear about my running. I got up early and headed to the treadmill. Ran my 3.2 km this morning in 20 minutes. I have got that one down to a science now. Mainly because I mentally don't lose my marbles for 2 km, and the last one is just a sprint , die, repeat, till I finish. This week I have to do a 5 km, and an 8km run, and am supposed to go away and I have a cold. I have to figure out where to get that 8 km one in... it is the time factor that I find difficult to deal with. How do you find that much time in a day with 1 or 2 litte ones at home?

Now you may be wondering why I have put a set of scales on this note. I have discovered something wonderful about non digitalized weight scales. I have been trying to lose that 5 lbs (well it did creep up to 10 a while ago, then back to 7), but I digress. I noticed that if you stand at just the right angle looking down at my scales, they could use an adjustment. For the betterment of accuracy. Do you see where I am going with this? So in an effort to be true to myself, I adjusted my scales and low and behold, had lost 2 lbs. Try it, you wouldn't believe how good it makes you feel! It almost made me forget my 6 pieces of date squares I had yesterday.
I can't wait to adjust, I mean weigh in next week!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Spring has Sprung

We were outside and could actually see the flower beds and upon closer inspection, my daffodils and tulips were poking through. That was so wonderful to see. Tomorrow the boys are heading over to 'grandpa's house to get out their bikes and jeeps. Every blog I have read talks about spring, it is like people haven't been out of their house in months and suddenly are able to get outside and enjoy nature.

And as for my running....sigh..... I did a 6.5km run yesterday. At the rate I ran, I should really just eat chocolate instead. Wait, made another commitment to a friend to lose 5 lbs in a month. Sigh..... why do I do this to myself?

What is wrong with not exercising and eating bad food? According to statistics, well over 50% of the population does? Why not join in?
I know, that would not be the example I want to set for my kids. I want to be healthy to watch them grow up, I feel better about myself when I am in a weight range I am comfortable with, I like the strength I have from working out and so on.... but it is okay to complain about it a little bit.

But I will tell you one thing, all those people that said they were going to be at that race on May 3rd, had better be there and running/walking one event or another! Cause let me tell you I would just love to pack in this training plan I am on and go back to my good ol' crossfit, but I am sticking it out, even if my knees fall off , I come in dead last, everyone laughs at my form and so on. I will finish my 10km run. One way or another. (probably cursing myself the whole way for not just signing up for the 5 km run, but getting talked into the 10 km one)

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Goodbye Winter, Hello Mud!

There is mud, and then there is mud and then there is mud.... but I love it. My kids are at the age, where I bring my coffee, my book and a chair and park it in the spot where they are playing and relax. Four hours yesterday, the same before and so on. How can you not bring kids outside to play on such a nice day? And who cares about dirt, everything comes out in the wash.



Sunday, March 15, 2009

Sense of Humour


My mom and her friends have a great sense of humour. So much so, that I always tease them for laughing more than quilting when they get together to quilt. This wallhanging was made for a friend of theirs moving down south. But they made a similar one that hangs in the Mindemoya Hospital as well.

I did a 5 km run yesterday, on the treadmill, and was happy about the time. Not because of what it was, but because I was able to work thru the fear of not having enough energy at the end.

Since running is a new sport for me, I always think I need to save energy, not go as hard as I might. Totally unlike swimming, where I know exactly how fast I can go for how long, to do the best I can in a race. I don't have that kind of control over running.....yet.

I have 5 more weeks until the race, so will continue to follow my schedule. At some point, I am going to have to abandon my treadmill and head outside. I am dreading that as I know my time will falter and it will be more of a mental training than anything else. But unfortunately I can't run the race on my treadmill=)

I am loving this warmer weather for a number of reasons. But one of them is I am outside more and not so tempted by walking thru the kitchen and eating whatever is on the counter.

Must get out there and enjoy this beautiful day with my family.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Fabric Picks

Okay, let's start this email off on a bright note. I took 2 minutes off my 3.2 km run today. I know, you may say, 2 minutes , how slow were you going? But I say, yahoo, got it done, improved my time and a good cardio workout to boot.

Took the kids swimming with a friend and her daughter today. Had a terrific time, then did a run and even a workout in the evening. All in all a good day.

I had hoped to get a quilt pinned together to get quilting it , but I may try and do that tomorrow, it involves laying it on the floor, taping it down and then pinning it.... all with 2 monkeys running around. We shall see.

Below is my most favourite form of buying fabric. I mentioned it before, but I wanted to show you the lovely selection I choose from. This is from the quilt store called "Di-versity", owned by Dianne Janssen in Pritchard BC. She just has the most amazing funky fabric ever. And this is only a small sampling of her store.


Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Two for Twins

My mother in law loves me these days. In one week, I finished both rag quilts for her to give to a set of twins. I got the twins bamboo plates and bamboo forks and spoons from the 'Green Collection' store online. I haven't learned how to make it link right to the website, so you will have to google it until I figure it out.

Ran today, had to go hard as I knew the kids would only sit still for about 20 minutes. Yes, I turned the tv on, and that is how I knew I only had 20 minutes. Don't judge me! haha. Anyway, I took another 30 seconds off my time for my little 3.2 km run.

And my 'dear' friend emailed today and we decided on April 24th as the day we will have lost our 5 lbs. She wants to celebrate by buying clothing and I am not sure what I will do to celebrate. I am wondering if I lose the weight prior to this date, and then put it back on, is that still a win?

Tonite I started quilting my next project and am thrilled about that. I won't mention that I am already thinking about the one after that. I guess that is why quilters spend so much money on fabric. Not me, of course! I don't do that bad though, because I purchased a bolt of white fabric and what I usually do is pick a commercial fabric or two and then dye the rest of the fabric I am going to use to match my focus fabrics. And yes, the white fabric is much much cheaper than a commercial print fabric. So if you think about it, I am actually saving money. Well, as long as you don't think about it for too long!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Skater #2

This is the last one, it now has the black binding on it, so actually looks a bit sharper than this, but I didn't have the camera nearby as I was posting this.

Smarties, hmm, why mention them, well, if you read my previous posts, I talked about losing a few unwanted and undesirable pounds. My children have smarties in the house, well I have the control of them and they get a few each day... and fewer still as i had about 10 today. This being my first day of really trying to control the food entering mouth exercise! Oh well, what is a stay at home mom to do? PANIC, I tell you is what I am going to do. Especially when my friend stated she would like to lose some along with me! I must sign off now and go and worry the calories away.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Bridal Veil Falls

This is behind the waterfalls, where my husband and boys went on sunday.... and me, I cleaned and mucked out toys and toys and toys.



I also got the second rag quilt done and will post pics when it comes out of the dryer and trimmed up. I can't wait for march break to have both my boys home for such a long period of time. Hopefully the weather will be good as we plan to do some swimming and I may take them to sudbury as well. I need some new running shoes. And my fish need a new filter in a bad way.





Cleaning up Projects

Today is the day I hope to finish the second rag quilt and the second skating quilt. I have another project already started I must get back to. Weather is beautiful, so will take the kids outside today after hubby returns from inlaws.


And toys .... did I mention toys all over my house. Apparently this is a job I was to do Friday nite, but opted going out with friends, and Saturday nite too. This should be my social quota for at least a few months now. But it was worth it, laughed alot. And got to eat sushi, right here on the island, and it was delicious.

Am going to try and shed a few more pounds over the next little while, licorice and chocolate have been hindering this progress, somehow before I know it, my stomach is thanking me for the treat!

Must get ready to head out the door to church.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Skater

Just a quick post this morning. Finished the skater. Have one more to do for a very special helper. Always is a wonder just how different children can be.

Still working on my second rag quilt and want to finish that up as I have one project just started and another one I just really want to start as the fabric is wild and I have some good ideas already sketched out.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Acupuncture and Quilts





I don't mess around when it comes to getting a quilt out of the way, or should I say done. In 24 hours I managed to finish one of the 2 rag quilts I am working on for my mother in law to give as gifts to a new set of twin girls. Yes, you did read correctly, all my hard work is being donated so my mother in law can give this new mom a 'handmade gift'. I know... you don't have to say anything else. All I can say is that she makes the best date squares ever and babysitting is pretty much available 24/7.


And I got acupuncture for the first time ever today and it was actually pretty cool. My massage therapist is a pretty cool guy and so knowledgeable. He is always naming muscles off and I just nod pretending I am following along, meanwhile I am really thinking about my next quilt project or if I need to buy more chocolate.


I have also started and ended training for my 10 km race in May. hahaha , I just put that in there to freak my cousin out. I ran 3 km tonite, if it was any slower, the treadmill would have shut off by itself due to lack of movement. Oh well, we can't all be athletes or runners or even resembling the above mentioned. Some of us can strive to excel at chocolate eating. Now that I have complete reign over=)



Rag Quilts and Skating Quilts

Here is a picture of the background for the skating wall hanging I am working on. It is almost done. Then my mother in law asked for 2 rag quilts for new twin girls. So I put everything else aside and started on that yesterday. A lot of cutting and sewing and I am getting close to finishing one. My husband had said he will do the cutting to give it the rag look, so I am very appreciative of that. I will post tomorrow the colours and progress I am making on that.

In the next 2 months, I have 2 skating wallhangings to complete, 2 rag quilts, and 1 rather large wall hanging. Should be busy, but I think doable. We shall see.