shawl pins

Brian hasn't had much work in the last couple of weeks, so he has been out in the shop playing with metal.  He's decided to try his hand at shawl pins, because I mentioned that knitters can always use a pretty shawl pin.  Today, he created a beautiful damascus piece - which is layers upon layers of steel that create a beautiful pattern in the metal.  He makes his own damascus billets, and uses them to produce different pieces.  He's looking for feedback on this pin, as well as what other types, shapes, sizes of pins people would be interested in.  Hopefully, some of you have a few minutes to leave him some feedback on his blog post (or here!).  More photos are there as well.  ironstein forge

Day 13 (edited!)

My last post was apparently a bit premature.  It was day 8.  I think I calculated correctly this time, day 13 is today!! Which means, only today and four more days to get through until I can cheat.  I admit, Christmas cheat day is a major motivating factor in keeping myself sugar free.

I just got home from the gym, where I completed one hour of cardio.  Kippi set up a challenge for us - complete 5k (3.2ish miles) in some fashion for five days in a row.  Today was her 5th day, woot!!  Today is my first day and I kicked ass.  It definitely helps having someone to keep me accountable. Four more days to go.

How did I not include Kimberly's visit when I wrote this???  She drove up from San Diego to visit for a day and to learn......to knit!  I didn't do so well with explaining how to cast on, and we eventually went to youtube.  However, I did get her knittin' and purlin'.  I'm pretty sure she will find some awesome knitters in San Diego to help her going.

hiding from the rain, knitting at Starbuck's!

In other news, it's been raining here practically nonstop for the past 3 days.  It's making me incredibly lazy and not wanting to drive anywhere.  However, it is helping me get through my Christmas knitting projects.  I'm almost done with one of the three I have left.  Send me more good luck vibes please.

Day 8 and stuff.

I'm kicking ass so far on my sugar challenge.  It's day 8, and I have not eaten any of my usual sweet treats!  Now, I have developed a slight love for honey on my Greek yogurt, but I'm thinking that a little bit of honey instead of all of the other junk I was eating is ok.  Right?!  I have switched back to black coffee or iced coffee with soy milk for my daily caffeine fix.  I'm still loving the Clementines, as well as apples and Craisins.  I feel better and better every day.  I probably should have weighed myself when I started this whole thing because I have a feeling I'm losing weight from dumping the extra calories. 

FREAKOUT.  It is 10 days until Christmas, and I have only finished one of the five gifts I am knitting for my family.  ONE.  Uh oh.  I'm 3/4 done with two others, and I haven't even cast on the last two.  I'm starting to worry - I'm thinking this weekend will be totally dedicated to my projects.  I'm looking forward to being able to post photos of the finished gifts after Christmas.

I managed to find time in November to participate in a little spinning challenge set up by my favorite Ravelry pen pal, Kippiann.  The challenge was to spin some god-awful neon green and red, er, wool, and make an ornament for a secret partner.  Kippi and I ended up with each other as partners, and I received this crazy adorable monster girl with pigtails and even a flower.

Here is the "cute" little bunny (or as Brian said, "WHAT IS THAT?! An alien?!") I made for her. This is her pretty photo. 

 

and today, I got another package from Kippi containing an adorable snowman and edible snowman poop (Ha!!), plus a WPI tool.  Cute! 

decontamination progress

Ready for a progress report??  I swear, this sugar thing has been ruling my week.  It has been so hard to resist because I had such a sugar routine going.  If I was home in the afternoon, I'd always grab a few cookies after lunch.  Same thing at dinner.  And then I'd usual have some dark chocolate at like 9pm with my tea.  So basically, I had 3 routines to kick, not to mention my morning splurges of pumpkin spice lattes - and I DID IT!

I'm finally starting to feel better.  I have more energy, and less cravings.  Yesterday I picked up a box of Clementine oranges and used those as my cookies substitute.  I didn't do so well on the exercise portion of my rules because I felt so awful at first.  However, today I just walked 3 miles with the dogs, so I got my exercise in, so I think that's on the upswing.

I'm thinking that I will probably go back to my "sugar Sundays!" routine in a couple of weeks, after the holidays.  I love sweets and don't want to deprive myself totally and I don't see anything wrong with having a splurge a week.  I really just needed to hit the reset button on my body, and it looks like it's working!  Woot! And, the other plus is that I've probably cut out AT LEAST 500 calories a day!  Double woot! 

SUGAR!!! eep!

Oh.Em.Gee.  I'm writing this in a sugar induced crash....seriously, my sugar addiction has spiraled out of control.  I think about it constantly and I will often eat sweets until my stomach hurts.  The cravings are ridiculous.  I'm now getting headaches if I don't have a sugar fix in the afternoon.  I'm totally embarrassed about it and I'm hoping that by outing myself it will be motivation to stick with my plan.

What's the plan you ask?  Sugar decontamination!  

The rules:  No sugary treats, candy, coffee drinks, etc.

The time frame:  30 days with cheat days being Christmas and my birthday.

Coping strategies:

• Carry fruit and nuts in my purse for cravings
• Increase exercise to at least 30 min/day
• Increase water intake to at least 80 oz/day
• I still get my coffee dammit.  Just sans any syrups or chocolate.  

I sure as hell hope this will reset my bodies "need" for sweets.  Anyone have any other helpful strategies?

Yup, I can't believe I'm posting this.

needles

This week has been full of needles.  Of course there were knitting needles.  Lots and lots of them.  I'm working away furiously on Christmas presents for my family.  I just LOVE making things for others.  Love it.  I can't wait until I can share the photos of my finished Christmas projects.  I've also been doing some test knitting for the talented Chrissy Prange, also known as LeftSideKnits on Ravelry.  She has been writing some gorgeous shawl patterns lately.  If you haven't seen any of her designs, you should check them out here.  She's offering them at a discounted rate through January 31st as well.  This is definitely one of my favorite projects using her pattern, Playful Plumage Shawl

I've also been needling myself because of my recent weight gain.  The weight I lost through my bootcamp workouts is back because I stopped working out as soon as bootcamp ended.  This week I headed back to the gym and it felt really good.  I really enjoy running, but not in the cold and not on the treadmill.  However, I'll take the treadmill over the cold any day.  I'm hoping that writing about it here will help keep me motivated.  I'm also hoping to get some volunteers to run a 5k with me?  Anyone?  Bueller....??  I'm terrified to go alone.

 And of course, for the largest needle of all this week, see the first picture above.  Yikes.  Brian needed another round of steroid injections in his lower back.  They use huge needles to inject the steroid into his spine....and the only way they know they are in the right place is when he feels the massive nerve pain the needle causes.  They sedate him via an IV first (to take the edge off I guess!).  Within two days, he said that he felt "bionic". Ha!  Despite the pain and the annoying drive to and from Santa Monica, we made the most of it and had a little fun, and some fabulous Mexican food on our way home.

At least they let him keep his boxers on and even gave him a heated blanket.  Jealous.

a new bloggity blog beginning

Back when I started this blog in 2007 (whoa!), I didn't realize it would become my "whine zone". But, it did. I came here to whine about my crazy ex BFs, obsessive dieting/weight issues and depression in general. I really had no idea that it was such a bummer of a blog until recently.

Lately, I've had the urge to write a bit about what's going on in my lovely little life and came to the realization that I needed to delete everything from here. And I did. Ahhhh! That felt good. (Unfortunately Kristina, I accidentally deleted your comment when I was on my deletion rampage.)

What will the new limejuicy blog contain? Me talking about things I love - Brian, the pups and cats, knitting, spinning, my work adventures and my struggle to become a real "runner". It will also probably contain too many exclamation points, "woots!", "uh...", and discussions about my favorite sweets. But, I'm ok with that.

I have settled into a simple and satisfying life with Brian.  And I love it.