I have to get out of it

I signed up for a knowledge survey thing so many years ago.  I need to get out of it, the surveys are so stupid.  

Going to frame Mary's 60th birthday present and one I did for Sue.  I never got it to her for her birthday and since she is picking me up from airport and having to entertain me for an afternoon I thought this was a good time to bring it.

Would like to finish an ornament I've made - I've made like 12 - don't know why I made so many.  It was in an ornament issue YEARS AGO.  And I had cut up all the fabric so I had to make all them.  And it was horrible fabric.  LOL  Hopefully I can get some done to take out.

SNOW

It snowed all day yesterday so my plans with the girls had to be changed.  I was going to take them on a holiday hayride with Santa but since is was 30 and snowing, I decided it probably wasn't going to be a good idea.  We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and then home to watch some Xmas movies.  

Then at 4 am Jojo woke me up - she threw up.  And then proceeded to throw up every 15 minutes until 5.  Then not again to 6.  Mary came and picked them up.  They were going to cookie dat at Aunt Beth's but Jojo was going home.  Can't take the chance of getting MomMom and DoCo sick.  She wasn't happy.  I would have offered for her to stay here but then someone would have had to come get her.  Plus I have a few errands I want to run.  Need to finish Mary's birthday present.  Running to frame shop and then 2 returns.

Then I have to decorate the tree, make peanut butter cookies and the crab melts.

Only 4 days

Was trying for every day - it's only been 4, not to bad.

Went through my mug cabinet, was getting out my Xmas mugs.  Why do I have such a hard time getting rid of of stuff?  I did take out 10+ mugs to get rid of.  And  there was probably 5 more I could get rid but kept.  Ones I've brought when I traveled or someone gave me.  I don't think I'm a hoarder but definitely a pack rat.  I wonder if it's because we moved so much growing up and we didn't keep much.  Always cleaning out stuff so not to move it.

Tonite is Josephine's concert.   Going to talk to them about Saturday.  They are coming over.  I think I'm going to take them on a holiday hayride.  I wish I had someone I could share it with, and it just wasn't me taking them.  Sarah lives to far away and she's away this weekend.  But we'll have fun.  We'll get there around 5 so we can take one of the first hayrides.  They don't start until 5:30.  I'm thinking we could stop at Duffers before had to have something to eat.

1 month

I was going to try blogging every day and here it is December 3rd and this is the first one for the month.  

November 28th was 1 year since I had gone to the doctors and she told me basically to get my act together.  I talked to my sister Mary who inspired me to lose weight and I started.  I was going along good, then got laid off and my Dad died.  I had hoped to lose 50 at the 1 year mark but only lost 45.  Since June I'm kinda just staying the same.  Need to shake it up.  Hope to lose 20 more before we go to Disney in February.  I'm trying but it's hard.  I was bad yesterday, ate a grab and go bag of cheeze its' = I love them.  Plus had hoho's for dessert.  Woke up and went to the gym.  I've made ham & bean soup and beef stew.  I'm so tired of eating salads.

Tomorrow more on what I'm stitching.
  

Friday

Been a busy couple of weeks. I'm enjoying not working too much.  It's so nice not to rush out in the morning.  But unemployment runs out in 2 weeks so guess I'm going to have to get something part time.  

Jojo's 9th birthday

I find it hard to believe that my little granddaughter is 9 today.  It doesn't seem possible.  Then I'm having a hard time that my baby boy is 37 1/2.  LOL  It was so weird to see her with her friends.  Sitting there with her friends laughing and giggling.  

Off to run errands -
a return at Kohl's and look at thanksgiving towels
mail stuff at post office
return at walmart and look at day planners
return at lane bryant
return at dicks

Then I need to decorate some for halloween.  

No news

It's been a week since I wrote.  Never was very good at keeping a diary.  But then I don't have much to write about.  
Last week was fun, went to the doctors last Tuesday (10/8) and only lost another pound.  But my A1C went down to 5.9 and she was very happy with that.  Need to buckle down on my weight lost effort.  I'm good during the day, but dinner is a challenge.

Then on the way home from the doctors I was rear ended.  Luckily I hit someone from Young's Auto body - she was very nice and didn't deny it was all her fault.  Couldn't open the back hatch, so I got a rent a car right away.  A 2017 ford escape.  It's nice.  Received the estimate this morning a forwarded it to Rick at Pennington's, I'm pretty sure he is not going to be happy with it.  

Then on Thursday, I discovered my capital one card had been hacked.  They were very nice and reversed the charges and issued me a new card.  Hoefully it'll how up today or tomorrow.

I have quilting this afternoon and I'm going to bring my new machine,  Since Deby has a bernina, I figured she can help me out with it.  

rainy day

It's a rainy day here.  Don't know if I'll go out.  I have to check the weather, I had hoped to take the girls to Highland orchard tomorrow to get pumpkins...but if it's going to be rainy, we won't be going.  I do have some returns to make and we can run to a couple of stores.  Just to get out of the house.  Just looked at the weather map - rain tomorrow.  It'll be a long day.  But we'll be fine.

When I looked at the map it said it should starting raining here at 367 Bristol Circle in 24 minutes.  LOL

Going up to take my shower, then do some cleaning and organizing.  I really don't know what I did when I worked.  I'm not working and find a million things to do and never quit get the all done.  Had wanted to have my basement  organized by now but that's not done.  I always find other things to do.  But I'm on a mission to get it done and organized.  

Also have a ton of finishing to do.  Got to get started,

New sewing machine

Well, I took my sewing machine up to Hinkletown to get serviced.  That's where Deby said I should take my machine.  She has a problem with Hayes - don't know why.  They have always been nice to me.

We went up on Tuesday and of course I say lets look at the refurbished ones.  But they were all over $1,000.  So as I'm at the counter giving my name to the guy for my machine, she sees on and says - this is a good deal.  It was a Bernina - which I have wanted especially since I've been sewing on Deby's.  It was a B330 - originally costing $1399 on sale for $699.  She said it was a good deal and right away the guy is over there putting fabric on it and telling me to try it.  It was so nice.  But I'm thinking - I'm not working should I really be spending 700 on a sewing machine...but I really want it.  I asked Deby what she thought and she said it was a good deal.  I decided to buy it.  If I really have buyers remorse, I have up to 3 months to return it.  I didn't take the trade in, it was only $70 - but I regretted trading in my Kenmore when I got the elna - so I kept it.  This way, I can take my old machine to Judy's.  Told Kay we could do some finishing.  And they offer 3-1 hour classes to learn your machine.  My first class is Wednesday.  I need to unbox my machine.  I'm kinda scared but I have to do it.  Maybe this afternoon.

And the funny thing is Ann brought the same machine, last week too.  I haven't talk to her as much.  Use to call her on my way to work or on my way home.  I miss that.  Going to have to make a better effort.  But then, she's not calling me either.

I also brought the fabric to make Sarah's sorority t-shirt quilt. Decided to go with blue and then use a orange for the binding.  I know her sorority colors are red & green, but thought I'd tie in to Syracuse with the blue/orange.  I hope she likes it.  

Decided I'm just giving the kids - Jimmy/Mary & Sarah money for Xmas.  Going to do like Daddy did for them.  Not as much, but I know they'll miss getting that money.  It was always like a nice bonus.  I'll still get the girls presents.  Have to think about it.

Wednesday

Going for that creative title.  

Well, I did get up and go to the gym.  I've said before since I've not been working that I was going to go more than 1 day in a row and always talk myself out of it.  But I it today.  Main reason is I'm getting weighed next week.  I go for blood work on Friday.  November 28 is a year on this journey of change.  

Saw Deb and Kim at NHA yesterday.  I stopped in because Deby and I were on the way to the fabric store.  We went to drop my sewing machine to get serviced and I ended up buying a new machine...oh no.  I keep thinking I should return it - it was $700 but then I think I want this machine.  I've wanted a bernina for years.  And Deby said this was a great deal.  The full price would have  been $1400.  I think I'll unpack it today.

I started stitching on my piece for Cape May.  and I want to start November.  I have to finish and put out the October one.  Maybe this afternoon.

It's October

I can't believe it's October 2 - and I've been not working for 4 1/2 months and Daddy's been gone 4 months.   As much as I'd rather have him with me (us), it's because he is gone that I don't have to worry about going back to work.  I really don't want to go back to work, at least not in an office.  I can't stand the thought of that.  Being in an office.  I'm really thinking of going to Wegmans.  Ran into an old cheerleading Mom and she's worked there almost 2 years and she doesn't work evenings or weekends.  Which is what I'd want.  I'm waiting until my unemployment runs out.  I've paid into it all these years - I should at least collect it.

It is cool out today and I think I'm going to have to put on a pair of jeans.  I'm not worried because I weigh less than I did in May when was the last time I wore jeans.  It's so much harder - I've been cheating or eating wrong things.  Sometimes I have no will power.  I just keep thinking of Daddy and how proud he was of me.  Get weighed next Tuesday.  I'm going to go to the gym Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday and then again on Saturday/Sunday/Monday.  I get blood work on Friday.  I hate always watching what I eat but since I let myself get this way I have no one to blame.  I'm hoping I'm in the 100's.

new pants

I ordered new pants from Dick's today.  Their warm weather compression Capris .  I'm a little nervous about getting compression - but I really can't find the relax fit.  The ones I brought when I first started working out back in 2010 are really stretched out.  I can roll the waist band.  Not a good thing.

It's 21 weeks until the Wednesday before we go to Disney in February to do the Princess race.  I would like to get down to 175 - that's 27 lbs.  If I lose 1 lb a week - that would 21 lbs - in a perfect world.  If I do that - none of my clothes will fit.  But that is my goal.

I keep telling myself that this is a life change - not a diet.  I can't go back to eating like I did.  But I was so out of control.I

I just keep thinking about Daddy - how proud he was of me when I saw him in  April.  I just keep thinking about that.  I miss you Daddy.

Floss

I've gotten into the habit of buying floss for most charts I stitch.  Consequently I have LOTS OF FLOSS.  I try not to do it but sometimes I can't find the floss I look for and I justify it by thinking it's only 52 cents.    My new resolution is to remember to look to see if I have the floss.  I have 5 containers of floss.  

Years ago I was in a birthday floss exchange and received a ton of floss.  Do you  think any of the colors I need are in there?  Never.  Well hardly ever.  LOL  I wonder if floss rots eventually.

Bad choices

We had our annual crab day yesterday.  I did pretty good - no role with my hot dog.  I did eat some chips.  My bad choice was after i got home.  Because you pick eating all day, I was hungry.  My bad choice came because I got a shorti hoagie and some Cheetos.  Now, I only at maybe 20 cheetos and dumped the rest in the trash.  I did eat the whole hoagie - but it was only a shorti.  But it didn't sit well on my stomach.  And I had the runs this morning.  Hopefully I'll remember that.  I should have had an apple with peanut butter.  I much better choice.  

I get weighed 3 weeks from tomorrow.  I haven't weighed this in YEARS.  When I got divorced and had to get insurance I weighed 175 - at least that's what I put on the form and even that is OBESE.  Even at 175 that was too much.  I'm trying.  It's much harder now that I'm home = no one to answer to and see I'm making bad food choices.  Going to try and be good for the next 3 weeks.  I want to get below the 200 mark and I'm so close.

3 pounds

Well, I weighed myself last Friday and I was down 4 more pounds.  Much harder now.  But in 3 lbs I'll be in the 100's and I haven't weighed that in YEARS.  It's been 10 years since I've moved in my townhouse and then or I should say when he served me papers I weighed 175 and even that is more than I should weigh.  I'm taking it in steps - first it's to get below 200, then 175 and finally 150.  I'll be happy if I can get back down to 150, even though I should be 145,  Just looked at the BMI and I'm still consider OBESE.  
November 28 will be a year since I started this journey - I would love to be at 190. 
Fingers crossed,

New crown

I go to the dentist today for my permanent crown.  When I went 3 weeks ago and had to get the grown - it's $1,000!  I was going to put it on care credit, I have a $3,000 limit but the day before I got a check from Joey for my share of Daddy's life insurance.  I decided to pay it out right.  Well, I put it on my capital one so I could get the points.  Daddy is still looking out for me.

Fall is here

It's amazing how September 1st comes and there is just a change in the air.  It's just crisper and cooler.  They were keeping the pool open again this weekend if the weather was nice.  Well, it was nice - sunny and almost 80 - but there was a nice breeze.  No pool.  I kept thinking what did I use to do on Saturdays before summer.  First thing was I was working so I had stuff to do that now I do during the week.  I should have vacuumed or dusted.  Started laundry.....instead I stitched.    I did go through my tote bags - a total of 22 being get rid of.  

Just filed my 8th unemployment claim.  I get it for 6 months, I wonder if they tell you it's done?  Or you go in and it's not there?  I'll have to ask Margie since I've never done this before.  I really don't want to go back and work in an office.  I keep thinking I should look at planet fitness or wegmans.  But I don't want to work at night or on the weekend,  Going to have to do something soon.  Will be a long winter if not,

Tote bags

As I said before I'm going thru stuff.  When I was divorced and moved into my townhouse 10 years ago, I could only get rid of so much stuff - so I saved alot.  Now I more readyn to get rid of it.  I went through my tote bags I had downstairs - yet to look upstairs.  Didn't get rid of all my tote bags - but at least 20.  I know, I know.  I find one I like and I use it then I find another one, but the first aside.  It's a horrible cycle.  Keepingsome, like my lands end totes, anything with my name on it or a memory, like the one I got in London. 

Serial collector

I have to admit that I'm a serial collector.  If I see a chart from a designer that I like and it's part of series - yearly, monthly, seasonal - I have to order all of them.  The picture below is the latest seasonal from Hands on Design.  I already have spring and summer - so of course I have to get autumn and winter.  One of these days I'll be ready to stitch them and I'll have them.  I also have her monthly series, which I hope to start soon.  So much to stitch, at least I'm not working now.  LOL

Rainy Day

Feeling at lose ends.  It is a rainy ugly day here and the pool picnic I was going to have didn't happen.  And tomorrow is supposed to be just as lousy.  At least today I went to the gym this morning.  I'm trying to go every other day so I won't even have that tomorrow.  I have to go some time during the day or I'll go stir crazy.  

This is when I miss my siblings the most.  They are having a picnic tomorrow - at least the ones that are in Chicago are.  I wish I lived closer to them.  I miss them so much sometimes I actually think I should move to Chicago.  But then I'd never move that far away from Josephine and Charlotte.  It's just days like today when I've been in the house to much.

I need to start Oliver's stocking.  I'll get the fabric out tomorrow and start.  Looks like I'll be home all day tomorrow.  I just order another fabric project bag.  SewMuch2Luv is making a Texas bag - 100% of the profits go to hurricane Harvey relief.  It's something I can do.  I always worry about donating because I want to make sure the money is going to relief - not admin costs.

Well, gotta finish up the kitchen,

Last Monday in August

It's hard to believe that it is the last Monday in August.  And I haven't worked in 3 months and that my Dad died 3 months ago.

I am enjoying not working.  Not getting as much done around the house that I like but going to buckle down and get things done.  I still need to finish up the basement.  It just takes long because I keep finding stuff and getting distracted.  I really think I could open my own craft store.  Plus I just love to sit and stitch.

Working on something from the 2007 just cross stitch Xmas issue.  It's just says Merry Xmas in a grid square.  I'm making 10.  Well, that's the amount of little squares I have.  I think I might give one to everyone when we go to Judy's in November.  Or send 1 to each of my siblings.  We'll see.  I keep going thru my charts and can't seem to get rid of anything.  I remember when I brought it and it brings back nice memories.

I went to dress barn yesterday and brought a skirt -- IN SIZE XL MISSES.  I haven't brought a skirt in size XL in I don't know when.  I am so tired of watching what I eat but it's going to have to be for the rest of my life.  I should have gone to the gym this morning but I'll go tomorrow.  

Things

Well, yesterday was 3 months since my last day of work and I have to tell you, it doesn't suck.  I'm liking not working but do think I want to find something for the winter.  Once it gets cold out and I can't go out everyday I might fell better.  This is the last week of my severance.  But I received a disbursement from the inherited IRA from Daddy so I can go another 12 weeks.  I'm just paying myself ever other week like I'm still working.  I'm still getting unemployment.  Which is until November.  

Been stitching alot and have to do some finishing.  I think I'll work on that today.  Jimmy was thinking of coming down with Charlotte but they are just going to hang at home.  I didn't use enough sunscreen yesterday and need to stay out of the sun today.  

amost 3 months

It's been almost 3 months since I was laid off. And I have to say, I'm enjoying not working.  Keeping myself busy by stitching, going to the gym, traveling.  I'm hoping I only have to get a part time job.  

Have stitched alot and I am going to start finishing ornaments.  Have so many.  Have finished ornaments for the boys - jackie & vincie.  Have picked out the one I want to make for the girls.  Plus I have a pile of stuff to frame.  Just little stuff, I won't frame anything to big.  I want to start of list of stuff I stitch - just a record.  

Went to the doctors yesterday.  Only lost a pound but she wasn't upset with me.  It's been harder watching what I eat with no witnesses.  LOL  But today I'm going to get myself back on track.  Just ate cottage cheese with pineapple.  I HATE COTTAGE CHEESE.  LOL  But it's good for me.  I'm trying to go to the gym every other day.  

I keep thinking I'll have more time for this.  Maybe now I will.  As of May 19, I'm not working.  Right now I'm playing with being retired.  Don't know how long that will last because a lack of a paycheck might be an issue.  But I received 12 weeks severance pay so that takes me until the middle of August.  Plus I signed up for unemployment.  It's shame that they don't make it easy but I guess alot of people abuse it.  But I worked for 28 years at the same place, I should be able to take a couple of months to get back on my feet.

Been doing ALOT OF STITCHING.  Plus trying to organize things.  Things I kept putting of while I was working.  Went though my closet and got rid of alot of clothes.  Main reason was I've lost 40 pounds.  It's much harder to keep on track when you are home because at least at work people saw what I was eating so I couldn't really eat bad.  At home, no one sees.  I'm dong pretty good, not like I'm eating bags of chips or anything.    

Well, let's hope I can post more often.  

New start

Been almost a year - so lets start this again.  So much as happened starting with May 19 is my last day at work.  They are closing the office and we are all out of a job.  Haven't been happy for a while - but still I'll miss who I work with.  Just looked at clock, need to get ready.  Getting a mammogram today = the fun keeps coming.
Later.