Well, I really didn't expect to be putting out another blog post tonight, but I feel I must. I just got the babe to sleep and about fell asleep myself. I still have a few things to accomplish for Christmas Day, but I need to get myself "awake." So, here I am to write a bit more.
Rich and I practiced tonight but ended up changing our selection for the evening service on Thursday. We usually do that! Change at the last minute! NOW, we are playing God Rest..and then along with that, I Saw Three Ships. I think we are set. Amazingly, the kids let us practice without any interruption. Thursday I am expecting a very special person to stop by at our house and spend some time with ME! My BFF that is so far away in Kentucky, LOL, Jen!!! I can't wait to see her and give her a belated birthday gift and Christmas gift. I haven't seen my wonderful friend in years. It was a cruel trick to move to Salem right after she moved out of state! Very very cruel! Thank goodness for the Internet- email and Facebook.
So, I really need to get things in order by tomorrow evening. I have an idea that I didn't approach Rich with yet.....having Santa come early to our house, and coming Thursday morning instead of Friday! Rich is off, for one, and it would let us just relax and enjoy our day together on Thursday! Now, how to explain Santa coming early! It would be so fun to totally surprise them! And, it would let us not be rushed Friday morning as we are having our traditional family brunch.
If you haven't noticed on this new blog of mine, I am using one word titles. Some days it has been hard to come up with a word to use....but it has been a good challenge. Anyways, on to share more of "changes."
A couple weeks ago an awful stomach virus hit our home. The baby had it the worst, and then gave it to me. Two things occurred while I was sick. Both were some kind of change. Well, I always wanted to have another girl, but God didn't seem to think that was a good idea. HA! So, I am a mom of ONE girl, one very energetic and curious preschool boy, and a busy baby boy! Being sick was reminiscent of being pregnant. Which is, for me, being very nauseous almost the whole nine months. So, the change here is NO MORE BABIES. I am DONE. It reminded me too, too much of being pregnant, which I honestly loved to be, but just not so ill. It's so awful to feel that way and have to care for your other children. Take them to school, or teach them, take care of your home on top of that.
The other change is that I lost 6 entire pounds in a week! That is HUGE for me! And before I was sick, I had dropped a few pounds anyways. I don't know how that had happened, but it did. So, the illness jump started a weight loss that came from no appetite. It is continuing because in no way am I going to allow those pounds I lost come back to my body. So, I am changing some things. One, I am cutting back on my food pleasure- fat free chocolate pudding with whipped cream! I will still eat this, but not so much. LOL. It really is a danger zone for me! HA! Also, I am really putting more thought into what I would eat while at someone else's house...meaning, not going for a single sweet. It may seem tough since it's the holidays, but I didn't succumb when we had Christmas at Rich's parents'. I stuck it out, only having my mother in law's famous coffee punch. Friday morning is a delicious brunch, and I have to say, I will be stingy. Quiche and fruit. Quiche and fruit. Nothing else. In total, I have lost 15 pounds in a couple of months. The difference is definitely there, and it really has helped my self esteem lately. I am so excited to actually fit into the jeans I wore before I got pregnant with Will David. OH! I almost forgot another very important part of this weight loss plan- exercise. I did start a couple weeks ago on a video I have. It's Pilate's, which is not something I would normally do, but it has helped with my breathing and some abdominal exercises. But, that's just not even the exciting part for me in all this. What is really blowing my mind is that for some reason, the past couple weeks, I have been psyching myself up in my head to become a runner. Now, I have never been into running. NEVER in my life. I had loved sports in high school, but never really pushed through college with sports or after. I have dabbled in the treadmill and walking here and there. But these days, I am running for 10 minutes straight. I have NEVER been able to do that. NEVER. It is hard- yesterday I took a day off because my calves ached so much. But I am determined. If I have to call to get something to help with my fibromyalgia, I will. Miraculously, the fibro hasn't flared up. I don't think that will always be the case, but at least for now...I'm okay. I honestly blame a couple of scrapbooking friends for their "running" influence. It seems to be the only way that some have lost weight and kept it off. I need to exercise anyways for health reasons. My cholesterol is way high, and with that as a hereditary thing, it is important to exercise. My wonderful husband has been so supportive. He told me last night he hasn't seen me this joyful in a long time. He explained that he thinks it is the weight loss and also the creating I have been able to do.
The creating is also such a great change. It has been a bittersweet change though. I had to recently decide to not purchase anymore of my beloved Studio Calico kits due to the fact we just want to start actually saving. It will be tough. I don't like not having regular "new" inspiration coming to my door each month, but I know it is the right thing for now. I also kind of feel like I can't jump in on the message boards there as much because I am not a "member" that gets kits. Oh well. It's really okay, and important to our family financially. Knowing that this is the case, I am able to spend more time with other mediums....especially sewing! I tell you what...that sewing machine I have now is so amazing. It is an inspiration in itself. So easy to use. Breezy! And with sewing, I am able to create for my own home (which is something I really have not done in a very very very long time) and for Lisa and I's Etsy shoppe.
I do have a couple of things that are frustrating me these days- my photography. I do not feel I am getting the quality photos lately that I have used to. It may be my camera needs cleaning. And, also, it may be it is just not good natural light these days. Or, maybe it is the fact that my favorite portrait lens broke. Well, pray that this changes. It is so frustrating not to get the photos you are envisioning and know you can produce! I have new Etsy shoppe photos to take and I do not want to take them and be disappointed in them! We plan on launching our Valentine's Day products the day after Christmas. For me, this includes photographic prints, some needle felted hearts, a few burlap and pink pennants, shabby fabric rosettes, and a few uniquely vintage small kits! Lisa has created some amazing pieces....and has found some sweet vintage items to share. I am such a book lover that I am already coveting a book she will put up for sale!
I must go and try to sew up some gifts and things.....Blessings!
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