2.for.Tuesday

Sorry! Missed a week there didn't I... well, I'm back and I've got something super fun to share! I think those of you with little girls (and those of you with little girl hearts) will love this. I love this!

one: It's a Kelly Purse from Hermes . Go there and get the pattern + fill it with fun goodies for Valentine's Day, or any day for that matter... who wouldn't love a cute little purse filled with fun goodies? And... since I've not fulfilled my obligations with the whole Christmas card thing and the giveaway never happened there either (seeing as how I never made the sleigh, though my intentions were good) I will be giving away this little paper purse filled with fun goodies to the lucky winner because "purse-onally, I think you rock!"... leave a message after the beep...

ps. to get the pattern just click on the very colorful purse on the main page it will zoom in and give you nine different purse options. Choose the one you like + click "I want it". A window will pop up with your pattern and instructions. If you choose the plain white one you can print it on the patterned paper of your choice or color it or paint it or whatever... enjoy!

two: meringue shaped hearts from Martha. I've always wanted to try to make meringue shapes and fill them with pudding ( I had that at a wedding once and L.O.V.E.D it). She also does meringue bones at halloween... that is something I've really wanted to try but that will have to wait for another day... unless I do them for valentine's "No bones about it, I think your great!" I know, I know, I'm a total nerd and super cheesy but that's why you love me! So... the link has a video demonstration and also the recipe/directions.

So, enjoy the journey!

2.for.Tuesday

Last week as I sat waiting in the Dr.'s office I browsed through an old issue of Martha Stewart Living. Can I tell you how I wish that magazine was delivered to my door every month. The photography is awesome and the projects (while I would rarely, if ever, finish one if I were to start it) are equally as awesome. In this particular issue they had an article about knitting and I fell in love with two of the projects and had to hunt them down. Here they are for your viewing enjoyment and if you're a knitter (or even just an ambitious beginner like me) the links will take you to the how-to's. Enjoy!

one: fingerless mittens. I immediately fell in love with these, and in my mind the instructions were totally do-able. I want to make these. As a bonus and extra incentive *I* came home from school yesterday saying he wanted some gloves that covered the hand but left the fingers open. I was positively giddy. I asked him why... where did he see something like that? He said his friend Michael has some and they're "awesome". He then informed me that they are motorcycle gloves so I'm sure that what I have in mind and what he has in mind are totally different, but I will pretend like I don't know that!

two: knitted neck scarf. I love the short "driving scarf" look to this. I want one. The scarf I knit a few years ago, while cute and warm, is bulky and so not feminine. This is a feminine scarf. It's cute and classy. If you look closely it isn't tied. One end tucks through a hole (maybe a button-hole concept). It looks a little more difficult in the instructions, but have no fear... I, the intrepid crafter, will go right ahead and bumble through it anyway (at least I'd like to try).

And there you have it. The two most recent things I've tucked away in the back of my mind to call to me.

Enjoy the Journey!

About A Girl

Really, it's all about a girl feeling good about herself. I want to feel good about myself. I stepped on the scale yesterday a.m. for the first time in a long time. I've been really afraid to take that step and well... it was with good reason. 200 stinking lbs. argh! We were visiting the in-laws and all of the "I can't gain weight" challenged guys are comparing weight and how much they don't weigh and I'm sitting there thinking, "I'm probably right up there with you." I didn't know it then, but it was sadly, all too true... I thought I was just being pessimistic. So it is with good reason that I start on this journey anew. It's just so danged hard! On a different note (and yet probably the same one)... The psychiatrist had a cancellation and they got me in earlier than planned. I went yesterday. ADHD confirmed. Anxiety confirmed. Reoccurring depressive episodes confirmed. + some other stuff that I can't remember (one of them had something to do with my... habit?... of seeing terrible things happening in my head is, in fact, not normal. It is truly, as *B* puts it, disturbing). On a happy note my OCD tendencies were not so severe as to warrant me getting to "claim" that one. It sounds terrible, I know, but the appointment went really well and we were actually laughing quite a bit of the time. I think I'll like the new Doc. I was hesitant to go because I'm nursing the girl and I figured that it would just be a waste of money and lead to frustration at not being able to do anything, but... hey, there are drugs out there that can be taken while nursing. Whoop! And, for those of you who are in the know. My "intolerance" to Adderall (a stimulant for ADHD) is because of my anxiety. Apparently you don't give stimulants to people with anxiety disorders. Who knew? Anyways... I guess it's all connected. I'll get me figured out one of these days! Enjoy the Journey!

2.for.Tuesday

As you may have noticed on your calendar, today is the day of Epiphany. I love it. What is that anyway, you may be asking... well, I'll tell you. According to Dictionary.com it is a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day (did you know the "1st day of Christmas" is actually the day after Christmas?). And as we commonly use it now, it's a moment of revelation or insight. So in honor of the day (and of my baby turning 6 mo. old = I feel fine with being more aggressive about my weight loss goals), I want to share two places that have provided me with many ah-ha moments: one: Hussman Fitness. I loved this site when I did BFL. So straightforward. Here's a teaser quote...

"The key to success – in anything – isn't extraordinary, superhuman effort. It's daily action. You find a set of actions that you believe will produce good results if you follow them consistently, and then you follow them consistently. You don't reach a goal by constantly saying “so little done, so much more to do.” Just focus on taking small consistent steps, and suddenly you'll discover that you've arrived. The focus should be squarely on the present - "What are the actions I can take today that will bring success?" "

I highly recommend you reading more if you have a weight loss goal this year. two: Calorie King. So helpful. We all know that in order to lose fat you have to burn more calories than you take in. It's simple math, but the problem is that I often find that I'm really not aware of what I'm eating. I think I'm eating well, but really... I could be making much better choices. So that's it. I'm going to be obsessive/hyperfocused about weight loss for a while, but that's what it has to be. Sorry if it's boring. Enjoy the Journey.

Wherever You Go There You Are.

Yep.