Status report

I thought perhaps it was time to show some progress on my granny ripple blanket. I work on it sporadically and it resides on a table because it became quite cumbersome pretty quickly.

This was when it was just poised for a phot op!

Then there was the boo-boo which caused a lot of froggin!

But alas, when the time came to show progress, Griffin was showing his approval.

(Furry) Customer approved!

Here's hoping you have progress on your project, even if it's not immediately visible!

Design wall

I realized I wasn't happy with my current sewing project so I slotted that away and pulled out the next UFO.  This also allowed me to use more of my design wall.

This was the metallic, black, white and yellow I started last year from a jelly roll.

This is the second layout as the first had identical pieces touching. 

I ended up shifting five out of 12 squares to make it aesthetically pleasing.

It drew my eye and was of course on clearance.

The yellow/gold was from the stash.

Yellow bumbles and cute daisies on a black background rounds this

out quite nicely.

It was a choice between sewing these together and napping.  I chose napping!
Here's hoping you make good choices today!

The week in photos!

I've been lots of places this week.  You just never know what you'll see while you're knitting in the cardiologists office.  This lovely white haired woman crossed her yoga pants clad legs and swung her feet. A lovely pair of flamingo crocs caught my eye!

Snapping a pic surreptitiously was not easy!

Monster salad after workout with apple slices.

Yummy!

Bluemans hospital dinner came with milk and a funny joke on the back!

Here's hoping you find fun in your week.

(And like it enough to take pictures!)

Finish number 2!

I worked pretty hard to finish this before the weekend.  Tucked in the strings and fixed a little boo boo.  It's another I love you quilt but I mismanaged the striping widths so it's more like an I love U kind of prayer shawl!

Shoot, I could line that up better.

But wait!

Do you see that little photo bomber in the background?

I couldn't bear to get another one!

The color is actually a gem color of purple ( pic looks black )

Here's hoping you get an unexpected surprise today!

A fitness journey #2

so the first wave is over. I've gotten into the habit of twice a week visits by which my muscles, my will and my patience will be tested. The first week I used forgotten muscles. Now it's just building on them.  My will to continue was tested and sometimes it felt like if I weren't paying for this assistance, I wouldn't want to do it.  My patience is sorely tested. I want all choices to be good. I want results now.

We have moved into the deeper level of using your brain. The struggle is real! Case in point, I've rid myself of nine pounds. But instead of celebrating that slow and steady loss, I remember the caramel corn debacle and how it set me back. I remember the pizza binge and the days I deliberately didn't exercise and I think nine? Should have been more, could have been 12 or 15.  I have to deliberately tell myself to stop and take in the milestones.

But each day is about choices and eating out isn't as much fun....so... I've been cooking more and working with blueman on his nutritional needs.

Chili beans, ground meat and hash brown topper.

My new favorite...tortilla,  hummus and greens, in this case lettuce and spinach.

Throw in leftover meat or cheese..or not and yummy! 

Marinated chicken and sweet potatoes.

Good to the last lick!

Here's hoping you cook up something good today! 

Book sale, the aftermath

I was invited to a pre-sale shopping experience at the largest book sale in our area. Alas, books are one of my four addictions and since I was mostly shopping to keep the maternal unit in reading material, I had loads of fun.

This is about a sixth of the overall sale area. By the second day of the sale, there will be few boxes on the floor and gaps on the tables. Second day is half price!

Here is one bag ...

Then added the second tote full...

And finally a side shot.  

All in all 68 books followed me home. 

Blueman was gifted with a book about the USS New Jersey.

Most books will be redonated next year to the same charity. It's a good cause.
Here's hoping you do something fun and charitable today!

A fitness journey #1

So, last month I chose to finally get off the stick and make some changes. Move more, eat mindfully, and generally be less of a couch potato and more like...a powerhouse. (That's what the Internet suggested as an antonym of couch potato,  I swear!)

So anyway, powerhouse me found a personal trainer type person who has kindly nudged me into moving more. With boundless encouragement, I'm trying new things and working to overcome my fears. You can hear things from family but when it comes from an authority figure, you listen more. Crazy, but true.

So, logging my food has begun in earnest. I'd been doing it sporadically but I'm doing it almost everyday now. Some days good, some days I'm just shocked at the list.

So a few things have entered the household.

Blueman ordered this therapy band thing.

Multiple uses which is good for my thrifty little heart.

I bought another yoga mat. I had given my other one away.

Best yet... $5 off because it had no label.

Talk about thrifty.

That's more fabric for me!

Here's hoping you make a happy change in your life!

Rrrribbitt...

I was not focused on my project.  That had to be it.  Otherwise it never would have happened.

I was finishing up the yellow portion of Granny's autumn ripple and I was excited to add a nice pumpkin color.

But the first row of pumpkin got a little weird at the end.  The previous two corner turns had a little problem.  In the picture below there is only supposed to be one mountain peak. It has three small hills instead.  Worst part is I had to rip out (ribbitt) the whole five rows.

Distressing mistake.

The amount of yarn I have to re-do.

Mistakes happen. It's part of life and we get through them. Lesson learned. Don't focus so much on the podcast while crocheting. Or make sure it's not too dim. Or make sure you are fully awake before tackling a craft that involves counting. You know, any of those!

Here's hoping you find an easy solution to a problem today!