Day 82 of a "HEALTHIER LIFE"

Sorry, I haven't been posting about my achievements but trust me, trying to get adjusted to exercising, eating healthier and living a cleaner lifestyle has really taken my time away from me. However, I'm pretty happy to say, I'm finally catching up to life and within a week, I should be right on target.

I am doing FANTASTIC on this adventure/journey...I'm learning to keep a journal of my foods, my exercising and my feelings...I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get to the finish line, but I know for a fact now that I am on my way to a better and happier life. Again, I won't be posting how much weight I've lost because whether one has 5 lbs to loose or more, it's still important to get to a healthier life.

Part of my new lifestyle is also living a "greener" cleaner one. I make my own face cleaner and using non-toxic cleaners in my house, mainly making up my own out of vinegar, baking soda and water. In time, there will be more...This summer we are even going to put up a clothes line and for as long as the weather permits, my dryer will sit still...

I'm working on some curtains, my quilt, a cq block (I am so desperately trying to finish), and a beautiful cross stitch angel. I'm preparing to create some art on fabric, knit up some kitchen dish cloths, make a knitted shawl for my Sister in Law for Christmas and getting materials ready to make my paper.

My herb garden is getting cleaned and is much bigger than last year...Yeah!! I am so looking forward to the first signs of greenery...I have been baking bread, making muffins and have plans for some canning this summer..

So now you know what this country bumpkin is doing, let me know how you all are doing...Would love to hear you are working on and what your plans all..

Until later!!

Happy Hump Day!

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Hump Day!!

As promised here is my weekly post...I don't still have much to show in the way of art, but soon, I promise...Once again, we did some more additions to our house which included various messes about..This is a great thing I assure you!!

So with the end of January came a new lifestyle change and yes, weight loss. Originally, I was going to post the amount of weight I lost but have decided against it..Why you say? Because my new lifestyle change isn't just about weight, although a good percentage of it. It truly is about living a better, happier and healthier life.

In regards to my weight change (see, I'm going to say "diet" anymore if I can help it). I make better wiser choices..Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables (essential), lean meats, dairy and grains..I am learning to balance these all out so that I am not overeating in any one category. And yes, the weight loss is really working..

My physical activities have improved...I do 30 minutes of Yoga a day..Yoga is a great way to help your body either get to or stay balanced with better posture. I do strength training about 4 days a week to encourage more toned muscle and less fat approximately 20 minutes each session..I also include aerobics and balance exercises to burn calories, increase muscle mass (over fat) and again, working to coordinate my body even better. I work out approximately 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours a day with the exception of Sunday's when I only do about 20 minutes of Yoga.

I'm reading my self-improvement mind books, my mysteries, of course, and doing some writing again.

Included with all of these changes, I'm getting about 7 hours of sleep a night. I've spent years only sleeping anywhere from 2 to 4 hours a night and now I'm having to retrain my body, encouraging sleep. I must admit, I'm quit liking it.

So, as you can tell I'm feeling much better. For those of you are on some type of self improvement journey, just remember, you are not alone. You have friends who care and together we can do this.

Until later, Blessings to you all!!!!

January 2010 Is Nearly Over???

It's been nearly a month (4 straight weeks to be exact) since I started my new lifestyle change. I don't want to use the word "diet" as I think it comes with negative connotations attached, but I do admit to needing to loose mega amount of weight.

The new change isn't negative; in fact it's so positive it's off the charts. Each day I jump out of my bed actually looking forward to that one more hour or more workout. It's hard to believe that when I started my journey, I was lucky to do 20 minutes of exercise. Now, I work out for an hour plus an additional time for either walking or jogging.

The food I'm eating isn't diet food either. I try and eat good healthy foods; fruits, plenty of vegetables, proteins, some type of milk product and of course, my eight glasses of water. My diet coke consumption is 1/3rd of what it used to be and I have started drinking hot green tea. Because of my age and worries of whether or not I'm getting the recommended amount of nutrients, I'm also intaking 1 daily vitamin plus additional vitamin C. I'm reading self-improvement books as I know I need to accept a different lifestyle with hoping it will add to my self-esteem and confident issues.

Changes like this require desire, dedication and the realization it is for the best. However, I've also discovered it has altered my time a bit and I need to make some modifications for the things that also important and try to balance all of this out a little better.

If any one is interested in joining me, that would be awesome. My first suggestion; remember to start with baby steps..Every step you take is one step closer to a healthier goal. It takes 3 weeks to break a bad habit but it only takes that same 3 weeks to make good ones as well.

I'll try to post to my blog weekly and update my goals. I'll be honest with my weight reduction, talk about the exercising and how I'm feeling through all of this.

The quilt I'm working on is called "Snowball with Nine Patch"...It's going to be for our bed and I think will be absolutely beautiful. The crazy quilt block is one that should have been finished but will be shortly, thank goodness. I'm cross stitching some hearts to give to my granddaughters for little Valentine Gifts, plus embroidering a pillow case. I'm reading Dr. Wayne Dyer's "Your Sacred Self", Kathy Reichs's "Fatal Voyage" and The Bible.

Until I return, have a great day!

Christmas in August - Thank you Lyn, Stitchmap and Kerry!!!!

Normally we hear "Christmas in July" but for me, it happened this month - August...In the post office today, I received my "super duper" squishie from Lyn's monthly blog teaser....It's a great contest with unbelievable winnings...Here are 4 pictures just to show you...Thank you Lyn!!

Next, is from a contest we had on the "Stitchmap" yahoo group..It's an awesome group for learning various types of needlework as well as personal assistance...It aides in crazy quilting, cross stitching, tatting, crocheting, knitting, dying, embroidery etc. Almost any kind of needlework you are interested in tackling, someone there is sure to be able to help you.....Anyway, I won a contest on this group and here are my winnings...And if that is not enough for one person to handle on one day, I also received a wonderful Christmas Book from Kerry!!! She did a Christmas in July, and I submitted my name cause anyone who knows me, knows I'm Christmas 365 days a year....And sure enough I ended up with this fantastic Christmas book....

This was an incredible day and one definitely most blessed...I wish to personally thank Lyn from Quilting Lion as well as Lyn, Shari and Moon on Stitchmap for all the stash enhancement...Also, Kerry for the wonderful book displaying assorted Christmas decorating themes...My favorite is the Victorian period and it had some really terrific ideas...

Thank you all!!!!!

Tuesday Once Again!!

What a summer I've had..It's been one thing after another which started out with needing to go to Spokane to help my daughter and son in law...I was gone 3 weeks and honestly I don't mind..Taking care of my grandchildren and visiting with my terrific children makes it the best...Upon my arrival home, I had a few things needing to get accomplished like move into my own little studio - yeah!! This has been wonderful..Although tiny and still needing tweaking, it's been the best...

Last week my husband was laid off and we are unsure of how long this could be..Can you imagine a construction employee being laid off during one of their best months???..However, not this year, construction has been anything but the best...Oh well, another one of life's challenges..

Next, my husband's uncle past away on Sunday morning..We knew he had been struggling for a while now but has had those up and down days...He went into the hospital on Friday morning and we were told he wouldn't make the weekend..Then on Saturday he started feeling better and responded to his care..However, Saturday late night, he took a turn for the worse and my husband's poor aunt had to make the decision to take him off his machine..His brain was no longer with us..She stayed the night, sleeping a little but after talking to his daughter, it was decided to finally make the decision..I'm sorry he's gone, he was such a nice man but I do think he was really tired...

Early in his life he had polio and managed to beat it..Unfortunately, medicine 80+ years ago is now showing effects of some medical issues...He's been fighting and suffering for so long..The first thing out of his mouth to the doctor's was "no tubes"...We spent the afternoon with Lee's aunt..Took a loaf of bread which she seemed to appreciate, however, I think she was just happier to have us around..We hugged and talked about "Uncle Bob" and anything else that came up...

So, my crazy quilting certainly has taken a back burner to life..I would love to do more and in some ways can't wait until the winter is upon us again, so I have no reason to go outside for harvesting of vegetables or herbs, weeding gardens or anything else...

Whewwwww!!!!...But like everyone else, life brings challenges, adventures and many paths..The idea is to walk them all with head up and knowing the sun will shine tomorrow..Well...guess that is a funny statement when most of this month has been spent under clouds and lots of rain..

Happy Tuesday!!

Two Blocks To Share

I've been working on two different rr's...One is the Black and White in Crazy Quilt Interenational...It's a terrific rr!! Everyone kind and patient, which is a good thing since it's taken me too long to complete the block for Ann..However, it is done, although I could do much more but don't have the month to work on it as it needs to be sent...My abilities are sure lacking in comparison from what I've seen already so I sincerely appreciate being allowed to participate....

The second is called "Cobalt Blue Study"...I completed doing Dalette's block and have sent it on but here is a picture....It's been an interesting study in trying think outside the box using the same color, in this case, blue.

Tuesday

I have what one could call a very busy Tuesday ahead of me...In my possession I have a total of 5 blocks that need work done to them to complete my part of a couple r/r's...Two Black and Whites (one for July and August), two Blue Block Study (July and August) and a "Honkin" Orange block for a friend who is recovering from surgery..I also want to start my Victorian Christmas stocking and work on a couple of Altoid Tins...It's a beautiful day but one can tell the heat is already on so I'll hide out in my little studio in the nice cool basement and have a grand ole time while others are enduring the heat...

I'm also going to attempt to do some "silkies" today..I have several kind people who have sent me some wonderful "silkies" and I thought I would like to add some to my Christmas Stocking, so I'm going to jump in with both feet today..I have some gorgeous silk that is quite old (about 40 years) that will be perfect..

Also, I discovered I won a "squishie" this week from Lyn...I've been trying to win one of her incredible "squishies" but as a very fortunate and lucky winner I've actually been blessed to win a beautiful CQ pouch and a pin cushion from her, plus a "silkie". This month I did win a "super squishie" from her and so I'm going to bow out from entering any more till the beginning of the year..One can't be greedy and I've been so lucky...Thank you Lyn!!!

Ok, I'm off..To all of you, have a Happy Tuesday!!!!!