More New Stuff & Sundry Ramblings

I'm so creative with post titles. Really, it takes too much energy.

I had another happy yesterday. MONTHS ago I ordered new bedding - a quilt and matching shams from L.L.Bean. I fell in love with them and decided after 10 years of the same comforter, I was entitled to new. But, apparently I was not the only one to feel this way. Despite ordering within days of receiving the catalog, it was back ordered, and then back ordered again. You know, to the point they send you that postcard asking if you want to cancel. I decided to let it ride and see what happened. Well, here's what happened:


It's overcast and raining here, so not the best photo (always have an excuse, don't I? HA!). The throw pillows and dust ruffle are not new. One of the ways I rationalized the new purchase was that I could use some of what I have, thus minimizing the cash outlay. I'm super happy with it, and it was a really nice surprise when I got home last night to see that it had finally arrived. The matelasse bed cover at the foot is old, too. I may put it on the bed underneath the new quilt so the new quilt shows better. We only use the matelasse in the winter time.

Watched the election results last night. I have some mixed feelings here. I should state up front that I tend to the liberal side on social issues, but I'm definitely a fiscal conservative (no surprise to those who know me well). So, neither major party really represents me. Thus, I'm never quite satisfied. The only victory I'm claiming after last night is that I (personally) will not have to put up with Nancy Pelosi in the news regularly. I'll leave it at that so as not to promote any flaming.

So here's where the mixed feelings come in. Why is the media claiming such a victory for the Republican Party? They've managed to gain control of one half of one third of the federal government. As a CPA, I'm pretty good at math, and I calculate that's control of one sixth of the government. Exactly what do they think that's gonna get them? Yes, they can be a big stumbling block for Obama. But I don't see that gives the Republicans the ability to ram through any important legislation.

I started to post some of my thoughts about political issues but thought better of it. Not the purpose of this blog. And, I don't want to encourage vitriol.

Meanwhile, I am off to Houston to the Quilt Festival tomorrow! Get to play with Missy Ann, Annette, Amanda, and Annette's mom Pat! And, I get to meet an new partner in crime, Marie. Much happiness, crafty goodness, stash wagon burning, evil plotting, and general girls' trip troublemaking will occur. Watch for a report next week. But, it won't be a full report. Some things that happen in Houston will need to stay in Houston. Just sayin'.

A Shopping Excursion

OK, so I lost 40 pounds (and have successfully kept it off for two months thankyouverymuch). Clothes shopping should now be a happy occasion, yes? Well, not so much. See, nothing fits. Or rather, very few things fit. Specifically, pants. After weeks and weeks of trying on countless pairs of jeans and pants, I managed to find two pairs of jeans. The happy part is that I like them a lot. However two pairs of jeans and an ancient pair of yoga pants will not see me through the winter.

So, today I set out with a mission. I. WOULD. FIND. PANTS. THAT. FIT. Don't mess with a woman on a mission. She will be successful! And...I was! I scored four pairs of pants. Go, me! The store websites won't let me swipe the images, so I'll have to link. Sorry.

These from Banana Republic http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=26496&vid=1&pid=762409 in new trench. Need hemmed, but I love them! Yay for on sale (marked down another 10% in the store).

From Talbots:
These in a brown color not on the website: http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi25055&rootCategory=cat70010&catId=cat1030039&sortKey=Default&section=Regular&conceptIdUnderSale=cat70010
These are the most incredible feeling pants ever. I think I could live in them. Which is a good thing because they cost a fortune. More than I normally spend, but hey, I was on a mission! Bought the dark green color http://http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi25273&rootCategory=cat70010&catId=cat1030039&sortKey=Default&section=Regular&conceptIdUnderSale=cat70010
And finally, I found black dress slacks on the sale rack that don't seem to be on the website.

I had to post because this is such a victory for me. I was on a mission and didn't get derailed! Only the Banana Republic pants need hemmed, so the others are ready to wear. I have pants!!!!!! Celebrate with me!

Drive-by Post

Today is Perfectionist Child's 8th grade graduation. It's a big deal because she's been at this school for 11 years - since she was three!! And, she has been selected to give the graduation speech (yes, proud mom moment). Pictures and such will follow, hopefully tomorrow. I am hoping to get a decent video of her speech and figure out how to upload to flickr so I can share. That may be beyond my expertise, but we will see. Meanwhile, today is all about PC.

My other piece of news for the day is that I am officially in ALL of my skinny clothes! Weight loss is just a tad over 21 pounds by the unofficial scale. Clearly, I'm doing OK with the dinner meal thing. Mostly, I think the new gym is just really whipping my sorry butt into better shape.

On the stitching front, Hanging Gardens continues to hum along. I'm down to the specialty stitches in the three remaining corner ornaments and then on to beading. I *think* I will be dancin' by the weekend.

Yikes! It's Been a While!

And I've had more adventures than I care for thankyouverymuch. Went to Atlanta for Diva's volleyball tournament. It was freaknik weekend. Lots of interesting individuals and happenings (let's leave it at that). Raced home early Sunday morning to attend Perfectionist Child's Confirmation, leaving Diva in the capable hands of Busy Mom (Diva still had volleyball obligations). Flat tire in Chattanooga. Of the complete tire blow-out flavor. Thank GOD for the AAA Roadside Assistance people. While I am capable of changing a tire, I happened to be dressed in a silk skirt and heels. Not so much equipped for the job. Parachuted in for Confirmation just in the nick of time. Survived MIL meeting Mom's "gentleman friend". While it did make the family news broadcast, I haven't heard about it on the local six o'clock news - yet. And, I am pretty sure the in depth "interview" is coming on Friday when I have to spend several hours captive with MIL. Oh, and somewhere in there, I helped a good friend with a hair disaster (at least I hope I did).

Saturday was also the one year anniversary of Dad's passing. I miss him. I felt guilty that I wasn't home to go to the cemetery with Mom. The day wasn't as difficult for me as I thought it would be. Mostly because it was filled with volleyball "stuff". Not so much time to think. And, Sunday was weird to see my Mom at a family occasion with another man. But you know, this *friend* of Mom's has to be a special guy if he can sit next to her at a family occasion and listen to her tell me about visiting the cemetery the day before. Or is that just totally messed up?

I spent Monday with my much-loved cousin who was Perfectionist Child's Confirmation Sponsor and made the trip from Florida. Monday also was an unnecessary trip for Perfectionist Child's dress fitting that wasn't. They hadn't even started on the alterations and, of course, they didn't call me to cancel the appointment. Joy. Now they are having to expedite the process - at their expense and my insistence. More joy. Tuesday's project was new tire purchase/installation at Sam's. Let's not mention how much that set me back, OK. I've managed not to cry about it.

Today is a lost day for reasons I'll not go into except to say we may have survived the Great Plumbing Disaster just so we can face the HVAC from Hades. I really do love my house, but some days I contemplate arson at least momentarily.

Stitching?!?! You want a stitching picture? I'm supposed to stitch to relieve stress, right? HA! There has been some stitching. Some. I've managed about 20 hours on NSTR this month. But I'm not up for photos right now. This month just has not been conducive to stitching progress. I have looked at stuff to stitch for the Chatelaine Exchange. But, I need to make a final decision and pull stuff for it. That's on the agenda for tomorrow. Maybe I'll post a NSTR pic, too.

Enough rambling for today.

Procrastination and Diet Adventures

I'm experiencing motivational difficulties today. It's almost lunchtime, and I've successfully avoided my to-do list in its entirety. But, I'm running out of procrastination ideas, so you get a meaningless blog post! Don't you feel lucky?

If I were a better blogger, you'd get an updated photo of NSTR, which is looking wonderful, if I do say so myself. Another day or two of typical stitching time, and I will have the second major page completed! The chart is organized so that four of the eight pages have about 75% of the stitching, while the other four pages contain border and some stray stars in the sky. So finishing this page will put me at more than a third complete! I will post a pic when I finish this rotation. Promise.

If I were a more creative blogger, you'd get some lovely spring pictures from my yard. However, that would mean I have to dig out the camera and go outdoors. We have an air quality warning today for excessive pollen. It's such a wonderful thing to live in the Great Basin in the South during allergy season (not). So, in the interest of not wanting to inhale more than my fair share of the pollen in the air, I will remain indoors until I must provide Perfectionist Child with chauffeur services this afternoon.

I'm still nursing battle wounds from the latest round of teenage hormones in my house. Some days I wonder why I bother speaking to Diva. There is nothing that could come out of my mouth that would result in a happy outcome no matter how hard I try. Last night's explosion stared with, "Goodnight. I love you." Kid you not. Thankfully, Perfectionist Child is not similarly full of hormones - today. Tomorrow who knows. It's kinda like spinning the roulette wheel - you never know which personality you will get at any given moment. Times two.

In further randomness and trivia, I started a new weight loss program four days ago. For those who haven't heard the very boring and whiney story of the last four years, allow me to summarize: Yours truly has been on virtually every "healthy" eating plan known to mankind and exercises quite faithfully, yet cannot lose weight. Rather, the reverse seems to occur. I swear I absorb calories from the air. Been to a bajillion doctors/medical professionals all of whom know less about metabolism/weight loss/etc. than do I. So, after really not doing anything special the past few months (but continuing to exercise faithfully and trying to eat relatively healthy meals), I decided to begin researching the less-than-healthy weight loss alternatives.

After lots of research, I found an OB/GYN locally who has recently started a women's wellness component to her practice. After meeting with her, we decided I would commit to a six-week liquid diet plan. The plan consists of four specially-formulated shakes and a protein bar each day, plus 32 oz of water. I still get to drink my coffee with my low fat creamer, and I can drink diet drinks as long as they are not carbonated. I did have to give up my wine with dinner (and, well, any other time the teenage hormones might drive me to drink). Let me say that this doc seems to understand a great many things about women's health that no one else I have seen in the last four years has even come close to, which is why I decided to give it a shot.

I've lost almost six pounds in four days. I know that a good bit of that is water weight. But, I'm seeing a number on the scale that I haven't seen in almost a year (before I started on the beta blockers). That has me pretty motivated and excited at the moment. The idea, should it come to fruition, is to lose about 25 pounds, maintain that for six to nine months, and then resume the liquid diet to lose the approximately 20 additional pounds I need to lose (for a total weight loss of 45-ish pounds). The number of pounds is my estimation. This doctor is much more concerned with body fat percentage versus pounds, so that's the number she's concentrating on. Oh, and she *hates* BMI as an indicator of pretty much anything. Love her.

I expect the weight loss to slow down after I hit about the 10 day mark. Supposedly to to three pounds per week is considered more normal at that point. Still, that's more movement downward than my scale has seen in a long time. We shall see what happens!

Miscellaney and Stuff

Such a creative title, lol. I've been laughing at myself and the random wonderings (or should that be wanderings?) of my mind lately. Thought I'd give you all a chance to laugh at/with me.

Apparently the sun is only allowed to shine for one day during Nashville springtime before the spring rainstorms hit. This bears out with the 10-day forecast. I may have to keep track just for the sake of amusement. Yeah, I don't get out much.

Whilst searching the volleyball tournament venue for a beverage that was not carbonated and was not water and did not contain copious amounts of sugar, I discovered I am in LOVE with SOBE Lifewater 0. Which, of course, means that it will probably give me cancer or have some other horrible side effect. Don't tell me. I don't want to know. I found some locally on sale (10/$10) at Publix. Bliss.

Why is it that smart girls are attracted to really stupid bad boys? I thought Diva might break the trend. Apparently not. I know from personal experience that one does grow out of it. But, I think Perfectionist Child's take on boys (they are all inherently flawed and mostly just good for making fun of) is much easier to deal with in the short term. Meanwhile, there is much drama over stupid bad boys at our house.

Pondering what DH is going to have to do to make it up to me: I have to give up Moonlight Stitching in May for his annual firm dinner (which neither of us really enjoy, but feel obligated to attend). I think I deserve something really wonderful. Feel free to offer excellent suggestions to stimulate my creativity.

I hate growing out my bangs. I can't remember why I thought this would be a good idea. What was I thinking?!?! They are now about an inch short of my chin. Too short to tuck behind the ear. Too long to look decent just hanging there. Pinning the bangs back makes me look like I am trying to be too young. Have a hair appointment on Tuesday, which cannot come soon enough. I hope Jan's creative juices are flowing. Otherwise, I may just tell her to cut it all off! I really hate it when I can't make my hair look decent no matter how hard I try.

My daffodils are really pretty this year. I love daffodils in that rainbows, butterflies, and puppy dogs sort of way. If the sun shines again (rumor is that it will appear again on Saturday), I may just take some photos.

Are teenagers too stupid to realize that the parent need only log on to the online account to see all the texting history (dates, time, to/from)? Yes, female children in my house, I do mean you. I know EXACTLY who you are texting and when. Do not attempt to out fox a former auditor.

After being gone much of the past two weeks, I have a HUUUUUGE to-do list. I was really productive Monday and Tuesday. Then my motivation decided to go on vacation. I *need* it to come back, but can't say I really want it to. I'd be a much happier person if I could just spend a couple of days stitching (guilt-free, of course). I've said this before, but I need a wife rather than being the wife all the time. If you know where my motivation went on vacation, will you tell me so I can join it?

My MIL is "not speaking" to me because I don't call her anymore. Not sure whether to laugh hysterically or throw a party. However, she is still baking cookies for DH regularly (as in whenever he runs out, she bakes more). How many 45 year old men still have their mommy bake them cookies? Cue more manic laughter.

Cheerleading is the most expensive sport ever invented. Just ask my bleeding checkbook. And that's all I have to say about that.

So, I'm in St. Louis with Diva. DH decides to do the grocery shopping. He normally does this chore, but I give him a written list. He has no list. He calls me (remember, I am in St. Louis) asking me to dictate a shopping list. Umm, how exactly am I supposed to know what you and Perfectionist Child have eaten (and thus we are out of/low on) the past week? Does he think my Super Wife powers include a real-time inventory of the refrigerator and pantry in my head? Damn, I'm more powerful than I thought I was!

That's all you get today. I'm done. Pretty sure it's time to stitch. After all, I'm Super Wife! Wonder if that means dinner will cook itself...

Ramblings of My Mind - Stitching and Not

There has been no stitching since Sunday.

Yeah, I'm not so pleasant to be around. Life has conspired against my stitching. Here's a photo of where I ended up on NSTR after my 10 hours in February (total hours approx 20, however, 3 were spent frogging and re-stitching).

So, yes, we have a wise man. I'm sure somewhere in the background is a wise woman we just can't see.

Assuming I get to stitch tonight, I will start my 10 hour rotation on Hanging Gardens. I confess to be anxious to get back to HG. As nice a break as mono color has been, I am itching to return to the silks.

On a completely unrelated note, have you ever read something in a work of fiction which starts a discussion in your head you just cannot turn off? Well, that's what's happened to me this week, so I thought I'd share. The idea in question was that women care whether other women have bust enhancements, but men could care less if they are real or plastic. Men just like big boobs. This started me thinking (always dangerous). I can virtually always spot the fake ones and usually feel compelled to point it out to my DH, if he's with me. I have this feeling that it doesn't *count* if you've got fake ones. But, then I think about it, and the book is right. Men really do not seem to care. They enjoy the scenery regardless (which says I'm pretty stupid for directing DH's attention to said plastic). Thus the question in my mind: Does it really matter if it's live or if it's Memorex?

Lest you think I suggest all who enhance are lesser creatures, let me say that I know a lovely woman who had been completely flat chested her entire life. All she wished for was a modest B cup. She promised herself that her reward for raising her children and seeing them through college was a boob job. She earned her reward, and looks wonderful. There is nothing abnormal looking about her proportions. Yes, they don't move like real girls, so most of us ladies could probably tell the difference. But, she feels so good about herself and is now wearing lots of stylish clothing she never felt comfortable doing before. This, I think, is an example of using such powers for good. However, I do think perhaps my acquaintance is a minority among the breast enhanced.

Discuss among yourselves, please.