Thursday, November 29th, 2012

November 29, 2012

Thursday

5:48am

            I just got up maybe 15 minutes ago, just long enough for the coffee pot to finish making. I grabbed a bottle of water, and have been sitting here, in la la land ever since. I just woke up Brian, and made him a cup of coffee. Hopefully, he’ll be out of the bed here in just a minute.

            I don’t think I’m going to walk this morning, simply because I took a shower last night, and would have to shower again after my walk this morning, if I so choose to do that, because I have an appointment this morning at 9am, and then I go to Mrs. Clara’s home right after, for a little sewing, and will be meeting a few ladies for the first time.

            I’m thinking I’m going to have to bring a sewing table, my sewing machine, and fabrics to do some sewing today. I know I’m going to bring the baby blanket for Leslie, and the back and batting, and probably the fabric I’m going to use for the binding, to finish it today, and get it quilted at Mrs. Clara’s home. And that reminds me, I’m going to have to stop at Walmart and pick up some green and blue thread today, before I go over. I might also need to bring my sewing machine, and my small portable table, just in case. I have one more quilt top done, and I’ll probably bring it as well, just in case I’m able to start on it today, so I’m going to need to pick up some pink thread as well, and decide what color to put on the multicolored back, probably purple or pink, I’m going to have to look at it.

            Granny’s coming today, so I’ve got to take her some balsamic vinegar, and print her out that recipe first thing this morning at Mama’s, and print a colored copy of that pattern I’m doing for Grandma, so I can give Granny her book back.

8:31pm

            Oh, what a day! I got everything done I planned to do, and then left at 8:45 to meet with Mrs. Cynthia at the Louisiana Workforce Commission, to see about getting a grant to start my own business in cattle farming. She was very nice, and I was there for about an hour, filling out paperwork, and discussing the business. I left there and stopped by Walmart for thread, ran by Mama & Daddy’s to see Brian and tell him about the meeting, and then was off to Mrs. Clara’s.

            I finally got to meet Mrs. Clara in person, and gave her a hug, and she brought me into her absolutely awesome sewing building, full of everything quilting. I met Mrs. Harriet first, and she was glad to meet me and full of smiles. Mrs. Nancy waved from behind the quilting machine, but couldn’t stop, as she was in the middle of a run.

            Mrs. Clara showed me a book of pictures of the quilts she has made, and I looked on, interested, and amazed at how pretty they were.  Mrs. Clara asked if I brought my sewing machine, and thank goodness, I had, and ran got it out of the car, along with some of the squares I had already cut, scissors, pins, and thread.

            Mrs. Harriet showed brought out  a quilt made many, many years ago, that she had quilted for a friend, and put a binding on, and it was beautiful. All the material was really old, though it still held it’s color as if it had been bought yesterday. I was interested in how neatly the binding was done, and asked her to show me how, and she began explaining some of the process, but promised to show me more later.

            I began by showing Mrs. Clara my blocks, and she jumped right in, and started teaching me about pressing the seams at every step.  Since Mrs. Harriet had the iron, she showed me the technique, and I soon realized…..I have a lot to learn.  Both Mrs. Clara and Mrs. Harriet also suggested I start doing everything in strips, and though my Granny had told me this before, I didn’t really understand the importance, and how much time it saves until today, and will continue this quilt doing my cutting and sewing that way, and hopefully save a lot of time.

            I sat down to sew, and Mrs. Clara offered me coffee, and I was very glad for that, as coffee and sewing are both right up my alley. I sewed a little while, and then Mrs. Stella came in, and I met her. I continued sewing until a little while later, and felt the need to see Brian, so I decided it was time to go.

            Before I left, I showed the ladies both the baby blankets, and pink/orange girly quilt I made. They said I did a pretty good job, and explained another way to do the binding, but I think they liked them. Mrs. Clara showed me how to square up my quilt, and pinned the middle of the top and bottom, to get it ready for quilting. We packed everything up, and Mrs. Harriet gave me a few clear plastic zippered bags to put my stuff in, and helped me get everything out to the car. I hugged both Mrs. Harriet and Mrs. Clara, and got an invite to come back this Tuesday, for more sewing and instruction. J

            I made it back to work just in time to catch Granny, who was pleased that I had learned so much today. I kissed Brian, and they were all eating breakfast of bacon and eggs, so Mama put on another couple eggs and bacon for me, and I was soon full and fed.

            It was time for a nap, so I slept til about 2:30, and when I woke, Daddy was gone to pick up a trailer, Mama was at the doctors office, and Brian was watching a tv show on the computer. I made a cup of coffee and checked facebook. Prayers for Sophie and Rhonda today, as Sophie is in need of healing, and Rhonda is going through a period of grief.

            Granny called, and said she had figured out how to do her quilt,  instructed an easier way to put together my squares, by sewing in a long line, instead of cutting the thread each time I sew. I was glad for Granny, and promised to try technique today, as I was planning on sewing some more this afternoon.

            Sure enough, Granny’s technique worked, and I got 12 sections done in no time at all. I was running out of fabric, so I decided to go ahead and go to Hancock’s this afternoon, and buy the rest of it. It was 4 oclock, but Brian said I could go ahead and go, even though I would be picking him up late from work! I wanted to go today, because I might not be dressed tomorrow to go anywhere, so I decided to go ahead and go.

            I made it Hancock’s, bought my fabric, and even found some on sale for a dollar a yard. I picked up Brian and we headed home, and had egg rolls and taquitos again tonight for dinner. Bacon (80) eggs (200) toast (160) fig perserves (100) egg rolls (420) sweet & sour sauce (120) crackers (140) laughing cow cheese ( 120) coffee (300)=1640. And I didn’t walk today, and I’m really, really missing it, and could really use the stress relief. But it’s almost 10pm, and I’m just not going to do it now.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

November 28, 2012

Wednesday

8:08pm

            Today got started at 5am. I was so sleepy this morning, I mean really groggy, and it was probably from the sleeping pills I took last night to help me finally go to sleep.

            Brian and I watched Mike & Mike until 6am, and I decided it was time to walk, and got on the treadmill, but only for 15 minutes. I thought the walking would surely wake me up, but instead it put me back to sleep. When I got done, I couldn’t even bear to smoke a cigarette, and went and crawled back in my cool sheets, and slept til 7:30, when Brian woke me up and told me to get dressed, we had to go!

            I threw on a hat, grabbed some jeans and my makeup bag, and we left within 15 minutes. Brian left his laptop bag in the house, so we had to turn around and get it, so we were in for work a little late this morning, but we called Mama on the way, and let her know.

            Mama was up checking Today’s Special Value on HSN, and doing a little more shopping for Christmas. Daddy got up, and could barely walk, as he is down in his back, and has been for the past week. Today was worse, and he looked so decrepit, inching around the house, but he made it to the table, and was able to talk to Uncle Jay for about 15 minutes, before Uncle Jay set off for work today. When he headed off, Daddy got up, and started inching around the house again, and went back to bed.  He tried to get up, and was having a hard time, and then they decided it was time to go to the doctor. I tried not to laugh, because it’s really not funny, and I do feel bad he’s in such pain, but I couldn’t help from laughing at the way he was creeping around the house, it just looked funny.

            Granny called this morning, and wanted to know what time I was coming, because she and Mrs. Pat were planning on going to town around 10, so I decided I would go ahead and come over, to give her plenty of time, so I headed over there.

            Granny and her two puppies greeted me at the door when I arrived, and I gave her a big ole hug and a kiss, and was glad to see her. I asked to see the quilt she’s making, because I thought I would be making one just like it, with different material. She brought it out, and it is just gorgeous! We discussed how it’s a difficult quilt, and requires a lot of thought, but I thought I could do it anyway. She brought out the book with the pattern, 101 Nine patch quilts, and we got to looking through there, and I thought maybe I would choose an easier one. She let me borrow her book, and I’ve got to order me one very soon.

            Granny offered me coffee, and I thought I would stay awhile to visit, and sat down on the couch.  We talked a minute, and she had finally finished her fruit cakes this year, but hadn’t cut them yet, so I couldn’t try a piece. But what she did, was get out another hunk of applesauce cake, and gave me a slice, and then wrapped up the rest of it to send home to Brian. It was delicious, with raisins and good stuff in it.

            I finished my coffee, and I knew Granny wanted to get back to sewing, because there was a section on her quilt that she had to redo, so I thought I would go and let her get to it before she and Mrs. Pat went to town. Needing to do something, when you got the notion, will grate on your nerves more than anything, so I went ahead and told Granny goodbye, with hopes to see her tomorrow at Mama’s.

            I ran to Delhi to get gas, and then came back to work.  Mama and Daddy were still discussing which doctor to use, and called a couple, to see if Daddy could get an x-ray, and a back adjustment.  Daddy didn’t want to go to Monroe, so our options were limited, and he never did get in to see a doctor today, though he tried.

            Mama started making biscuits, and she made me one as well. 800 calories + coffee =1100 calories. I picked out a pattern for Grandma’s blanket out of Granny’s book, and got to cutting the squares. I got all the fabric cut, while eating my biscuit, and then headed off to sew.

            I sewed three block sections, and then got so sleepy, that I decided it was time for a nap, and slept until 3 oclock this afternoon. When I woke up, Mama and Daddy were gone to check the cows, and Brian was sitting at his computer. I made a cup of coffee, putting off going to Monroe & Walmart, and called Morris Veterinary, and spoke with Dr. Morris about Mr. Sully. His advice was to come pick up some more antibiotic, and give it to him for 10 days straight, and to check on him in about 7 days.

            I got some money from Brian, and Mama told me how to write our weekly check in the computer, and headed to the vet’s office. I walked in, and saw a bad little Boston Terrier when I walked through the door. I knew that dog looked familiar, cause when I looked up, it was Aunt Mary Beth, and sure enough, the dog was Baby. We visited for a little bit while we waited, and then picked up Sully’s antibiotics, and left for Monroe.

            I got pulled over in Start by  none other than Andy Stephenson. I knew I wasn’t really speeding, cause I had my cruise set on 76, but the car beside me was going really fast, but Andy didn’t give me a ticket. I wished him a Merry Christmas, and he sent me on my way, and told me to slow down. I don’t speed anymore these days, I can’t afford a ticket, so I always set my cruise, and if I catch myself speeding, I think about it, and just slow down.

            I made it to the bank, without a ticket, and turned around and went back to Rayville Walmart, to pick up Daddy’s meds, and some water and other groceries for home. There was a long line at the pharmacy today, and at the checkout counters, but I finally made it out of there by 5:45, and left to pick up Brian at work.

            I found Daddy sleeping in the recliner, and gave Mama his meds and a heating pad, and she set it on his back while he slept. Hopefully, that will help, poor Daddy! Goodness! I hope he feels better tomorrow!

            Mama said she was just about done Christmas shopping, and we discussed the things she had gotten for Brian’s birthday and Christmas. Brian’s going to have a really good birthday and Christmas this year is all I can say!

            We finally made it home by 6:45, and brought in the groceries. I had bought taquitos for Brian and egg rolls for me. I made a pot of coffee, and smoked some cigarettes for a minute, and stuck the egg rolls and taquitos in the oven.

            The egg rolls only have 140 calories in each, so I decided I would have three, seeing as I had only ate a biscuit today. 1100+420+120 (sweet &sour sauce) = 1640 – walk this morning (100)= 1540 today.

            I took a shower and sewed a little, and at around 9pm, I got ravenous, and ate some Pepperidge farm crackers and laughing cow cheese spread, so add another 300 calories for the day = 1840.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

November 27, 2012

Tuesday

9:25pm

            This morning started at around 7am, when I first woke up, and found Brian sitting in his chair, with no coffee made. Seeing as I had woke up so late, and we had to leave in about 35 minutes, we decided to just wait to have coffee at the parents’, because we really didn’t even have time to make a pot, much less drink it.  

            We watched CMT music videos for about 20 minutes, and then got dressed, and left for work.  Mama had a full pot made when we got there, and Brian and I got our cups and filled them up.

            We didn’t have time to walk this morning, but I did have time to weigh, and I have lost another pound, from 222 last week to 221 today. Total pounds lost: from 252 to 221 = 31 pounds. J

            I didn’t get online long today, as I have a sewing itch going on, and really wanted to get back my room, and finish the baby blanket I had started on. I did, however, have time to post my blog with photos, post on facebook, and check a few emails.

            Mama was busy shopping online again this morning, and had found some really great deals at Cabelas.com. She found all kinds of cute old lady looking shoes, which I love, and may end up with for Christmas. J

            I got back there, and finished the baby blanket quilt top, and only have to quilt it now, which I plan on doing Thursday, when I go and join my fun sewing club, which I am extremely thankful for already!

            I was done with the quilt before lunch, and we were all hungry. I called Faye’s Burger Barn, and ordered Brian and Mama a hamburger & fries, and myself a club sandwich with fries. It was so good, and I figure around 700 calories for the whole thing.

            I took a nap, and didn’t wake up until around three. I called Granny to get the pattern name for the quilt she’s making, because I was wanting to start on Grandma’s today, since I got the other one done. Granny said it would eat my lunch, but I still want to try it, and she promised to bring a copy of the pattern tomorrow when she comes.

            With nothing to do or sew, I decided I would shop online a little bit, and ordered some Christmas presents for Mama, and have all her Christmas done now.  I ordered a couple things last week, and was thinking I should be expecting them any day now, so I checked my email, digging through junk mail for shipping confirmations, and found that Brian’s big Christmas present was scheduled to arrive today….not at Mama’s, but at our home. I panicked immediately, because Sambo always chews up every package that comes in, and felt for sure that he would chew this one up as well. It was 430 when this happened, and Mama let us go ahead and go, so that we could try to save the package, because it said it hadn’t been delivered yet.

            I prayed and prayed on the way home. I know this was after the fact, but God knows everything, before it even happens,  including that I would pray later, and he can change anything from happening. I checked the tracking again, and it had been delivered at 1:07 today, and I was fretting, but praying.

            We arrived at home, and the box had been torn a little bit, but THANK YOU JESUS!! MY FRIEND!!! Sambo didn’t tear into the actual gift, and it hadn’t been harmed at all! God answered my prayer today, and Christmas was saved, Glory be to GOD, because not one other person could have done that, it had to have been HIM talking to Sambo.

            We praised Sambo for listening to Jesus, and for being a good boy, and I brought in the gift, and hid it in my closet in my sewing room. Brian doesn’t know what it is, thank goodness, and it’s going to be a good surprise when  he gets it on Christmas.

            I called Mama and told her the good news, and then I got to cleaning the living room, and even put a few more ornaments on the tree. I vacuumed, and folded some clothes, while Brian cleaned the kitchen tonight. I really, really felt like sewing, so I got in there, and sewed on Grandpa’s blanket some more. I got another row finished, and it just needs to be sewn onto the rest of it. I have 6 rows done now, and probably 7-10 left to go. I bought some more material, and it’s looking good with these several additions. It’s a very complex quilt, and no amount of fabric would be too much.

            Brian made me some coffee, and I’m thinking about going and getting in the bed right now. We let Miss Peaches in, to eat and get warm, cause that little kitty has been outside for over a month. Miss Maelee won’t let her in, and thrashes her every time she sees her. We had to lock Maelee up, to let Peaches get some food inside, because we usually feed her outside. Sully’s urinary tract infection is back, so I started giving him his little kitty antibiotics again, but I’m going to call the vet tomorrow and see if that should’ve happened, and I’m worried about my Sully. He doesn’t look like he feels good. I gave him a little kitty treat after I gave him his medicine, and I’m hoping it’s not the treats giving him this UTI, because he begs for them every day.

            We didn’t ever walk today, and that’s ok, I guess. I’m going to try to get up in the morning, and do my usual 30 minutes in the morning. I’m hoping to get up early, but we will see what time I wake up. Until tomorrow…..goodnight ! J

Monday, November 26, 2012

November 26, 2012

Monday

2:57am

            I’ve been up since about 2:30am. I tried to go back to sleep, and it didn’t work, so here I am, up at 2:30am. Brian will stay asleep until I wake him up at 5am, for our morning walk at 5:30, and I guess I’ll go first today, because I’ve been up longer.

            I still haven’t got the popcorn finished stringing for my garland, and I’m really getting sick of doing it, but I know I’ve got to finish it before I can even put on ornaments. This has become a 3 day process with this garland, and it’s taking much longer than I would have liked or even expected.

 

           I’ve got so much to do around here. I’m starting to get a little anxious. Clothes need to be washed, which I can do while I’m stringing popcorn or sewing. I’ve got 2 quilts to finish, and 3 more I haven’t even started on, that I want to get done before Christmas. I guess, if it takes 30 hours to make a quilt top, and I have 4 to do, that’s 120 hours. I want to get them done in 2 weeks, so that’s 60 hours a week, and if I sew 7 days a week, that’s 8.5 hours a day of straight sewing. So this morning, I’m faced with….do I sew or do I finish the popcorn garland? Both have to be done…..and I don’t even know if I can get all those quilts done and quilted before Christmas, but I’m gonna try. If I don’t get them all done, I’ll get them done by the New Year, surely. I’m about to put some clothes on to wash, and finish the garland. If only I can keep my hands out of the popcorn, cause I’ve been eating it as I’ve been stringing it, and I’ve got to watch my calories today.

5:45am

            I finally got done stringing up the popcorn garland. I got Brian up at 5am, so that he could help me decorate the tree this morning. I got on all my new ornaments from Hancock Fabric, and they are all so pretty.  I also bought some ornaments at a thrift store in Florida, and when I went to put them on this morning, I soon realized I needed hooks. I thought I might have some paper clips, but turned out I don’t, so we will have to wait to finish decorating this evening.

            We decided to go for a walk at about 5:30, when I just felt the need to read my Bible, as I haven’t read it in about a week. Brian and I decided to spend this time reading, instead of walking, although it didn’t take either of us long to read, and we still really have about 45 minutes we can walk, so I’m thinking we may get in there and do that.

6:30am

            I just got off the treadmill, with a walk of 30 minutes. Brian was a great support, and stayed in the mancave, and talked to me the whole 30 minutes, so it went by really fast.  He didn’t walk this morning, because he’s feeling kinda crabby and tired, but he plans on walking tonight. He’s got his own workout he’s planning. He says he’ll do 15 minutes one day, the next- 20, the next 25, and then back down to 15, and that he will walk at different times every day.  My response is that it’s really hard to walk in the evenings on the weekdays, but I hope it works for him, and I’ll be sitting in there with him in the evenings, and may even walk another 15 minutes myself. So I’m actually looking forward to him walking in the evenings. J

7:18pm

            It’s Monday evening, and Brian is on the treadmill, and I’m in the mancave listening to the radio, watching him, and trying to be an encouragement.

            We got to Mama’s on time this morning, and I had a few telephone calls to make first thing this morning, so I got some of that taken care of. I scheduled a haircut yesterday, but it turned out that my mental health checkup wasn’t as early as I thought, so I rescheduled my haircut for 2 pm. I got hungry, so I ate what some pinto beans and rice, probably 500-700 calories, because of so many beans. I didn’t really have that big of a plate, but I know those beans really pack on the pounds, but I was hungry, so I ate them anyway.

            Mama had us run to the post office for stamps, and I fell asleep in the car on the way back, and walked in and slept in the recliner until right before we had to leave. I got up, made a cup of coffee, and played online until it was time for Brian and me to head to the Behavioral Health Clinic.

            I have 2 quilts that need to be quilted, and Granny gave me the name Mr. Herbert, who fixes machines, who may know someone who quilts. I prayed about finding the right person, so when I called I got Mrs. Carolyn, explained to her who I am, and asked her if she may know anyone who quilts, that I can pay to do some of my quilts this year. She gave me the name Mrs. Clara, so I called her on the way to Monroe, and left her a message on her machine, asking her to return my call, if she is at all interested in quilting these for me.

            We made it to the clinic in time, and saw my social worker, Dee, and we discussed some things, and I thank the Good Lord above that she is my social worker, as she is very understanding, and supportive, and I believe shows very good judgment, and compassion.

            We left there, and went to Polly’s Place in West Monroe, for my haircut with Julia LaBorde, who’s been my friend since birth. She recently started cutting hair, and when she did, I jumped at the chance to have her do it. She’s not like most hairstylists, who want to talk about people and gossip. We always have friendly chit chat when I go see her, and there are no put-ons with Mrs. Julia LaBorde. She is a one of a kind, for sure! I was happy to see her, and she told me I look great, which means she can tell I’ve lost a bunch of weight. I haven’t seen her in probably 6 months or better, so she’s a good judge.  Her husband of one year today, Jeremy, was with her, and I got to meet him for the first time! I had sent Brian next door to the convenience store to get me a Diet Coke and a water, so he came in after me and met Jeremy as well.

We all sat around in a group, while Julia and I chatted while she cut my hair. The guys would throw something in occasionally, and by the end of the haircut, I felt like I knew Jeremy a little better, and was very glad that Julia had married such a nice guy. Today is their anniversary, and Julia had plans tonight to wear her wedding dress while she and Jeremy eat cake and drink champagne. I think that’s a pretty good idea, and may just do something like that on our anniversary, on the 12^th of December this year.

 

 We left there, and I had plans to go to Hobby Lobby for fabric for Dad Sullivan’s quilt I’m going to be making him, but Brian was hungry, and he had plans to eat. So, his hunger won out, and we went to El Chico, and ordered the Fiesta Nachos, probably 700 calories there, so add that to the pinto beans (700) and the coffee (300)=2000 minus 200 for my walk this morning = 1800.

 

 

 

 

We drove to Hobby Lobby afterwards, but the cars were lined up all the way to the back of the parking lot, and I just didn’t feel like fighting a crowd today, and I’m not quite ready to start on Dad’s quilt just yet, so I guess I’ll go one morning in a week or so, and see what they got then.

We left there, and had to stop at Walmart, to pick up some ornament hangers. I found a couple cute red and white ornaments there, and some cute clippies, and even found a few pieces of fabric to add to Grandpa’s blanket. We checked out, made a stop at Verizon, and at Cannon’s for cigarettes, and headed home.

Mama called on the way home, and wanted to talk about what she was getting Brian for Christmas, but I couldn’t really talk with him in the car, so I promised to phone her when I got home.

Mr. Sully was waiting on us when we walked in the door, curious as to where we had been all day. I called Mama, and talked to her for 30 minutes, which is very unusual for Mama, as she hardly ever likes to talk on the phone. She had been shopping online today, and found bunches of good deals, and wanted to know what all I want for Christmas.

I called Daddy, and filled him in on the day’s appointment, and while I was on the phone with him, Mrs. Clara called. I returned her call when I got off the phone with Daddy, and as it turns out! I’ve been invited to her home on Thursday morning, to learn how to quilt, and join their quilting club! Every Thursday, her and around 5 friends get together, and bring their sewing machines to her home, and they all sew together, and use her quilting machine. She said she’d teach me how on Thursday, so that I can quilt my own quilt,  and to bring my machine, and I am super excited to be a part of this! How fun will this be?! What a blessing! God has answered my prayers, and led me to the exact right lady! J

Excited, I called Mama, and she was excited for me, so I thought I’d call Granny too, and tell her all about it. Granny was very happy for me, and thinks that is a very good thing for me, and believes I will really enjoy it!

After an evening on the telephone, it was 7pm, and I knew Brian needed to get on the treadmill, and not put it off any longer. He agreed, and got up, and walked for 20 minutes tonight, and did an awesome job!

We still had a tree to decorate, so I got Brian to help me put on the ornaments, and we finally got the tree decorated, and I think it turned out rather nice! J

 

 

I hear the thunder outside, and I guess it’s going to rain, and I pray to the Lord to protect us and protect our home tonight from the weather. I don’t like storms, they scare me.

I’ve just about got all the clothes washed, I’ve only got 2 or 3 more loads to do, and am hoping I can get done by tomorrow. It’s 9pm now, so I’ll probably only be up for another hour, and hit the sack. Until tomorrow….Goodnight!

 

Sunday, November 25, 2012

November 25, 2012

Sunday

7:15pm

            I woke up at 2:30am this morning, strung one string of popcorn garland, drank a diet coke, and decided to go back to bed. I slept in today, until 8:30am, and Brian was already up, and had waited to make the coffee, because we only had enough left for one pot.

 

            I asked him if he had made a full pot, and he said yes, but when the coffee finished making, it was only 8 cups, and I was mad. Brian kindly volunteered not to drink but one cup, and let me have the rest. He didn’t have to do that, and I tried and tried to coerce him into drinking another cup, but he wouldn’t have it, he just wouldn’t do it.

            We sat around for a while, me stringing popcorn garland, and him watching the results of last night’s games on ESPN. Finally, at about 9:45, we decided we had better get dressed, and head on to Delta City.

            We left at about 10:30, and by the time we reached Vicksburg, we were both hungry, and not sure if anyone was cooking in Delta City. So we stopped at the Sonic, my first bite to eat all day. I had a chocolate mint shake (1160), French fries (470), cheeseburger (800), Cheesecake bites(500) coke (170) = 3100. Yeah, remind me not to eat that shake again. I should have just stopped with a cheeseburger and fries, but I didn’t, but I really didn’t think it would be this many calories.

            Honestly, lately, I haven’t been counting my calories before I eat, and it’s showing with my calories lately. I’m going to have to get back on board tomorrow, and really count before I eat, instead of just eating and then counting. This sux. I can’t believe I had another 3000 calorie day…

            We made it to Delta City around 1:30. Patsy and two of her kids, Bryce and Emma, were there. Lacy and her two girls, Maddie and Myles were also there, along with Dad and Auntie. Everyone was sitting around in the living room. We said hello and joined them for talks about baby doctors in Mississippi, and all the pregnant folks in the Sullivan family. Tammy is having her baby this week, at least by Friday, when she’s scheduled, though she may have it Wednesday when she goes in for a checkup. Brian and I would like to be there when the Jase Cole is born, although we might have to bully Mama into letting Brian off, because we’re having to take off tomorrow morning for my mental health checkup in Monroe, and a haircut that I just scheduled with my long time friend, Julia, who so kindly agreed to cut our hair tomorrow at the last minute, so we wouldn’t have to drive to Monroe two times this week.

            I’ve decided to chop my hair off to shoulder length, because it just looks healthier when it’s shorter, and I’d like less fuss, and fewer ponytails.

            Dad Sullivan seemed to be doing very well, and he had even shaved off his mustache, which is a first for me, as I’ve never seen him without it in the whole 4 years Brian and I have been together. Auntie was doing good too, although I don’t think she was feeling very good today, and that’s completely understandable, considering all she’s been through these past few months.

            Lacey took the girls to choir practice, and it wasn’t long after that Patsy and her two left as well. Dad, Auntie, Brian, and I sat around, them telling stories about when Brian and Brad were growing up, and laughing at all the things they didn’t know, and wish they still didn’t.

            It started getting dark, and Brian started yawning, so we figured we had better hit the road, but not before Auntie and Dad gave us some trash mix, a big bear hug, wished us well, and sent us on our way, us promising to send them a text or call when we made it back.

            We had a good time over there today, and I look forward to seeing them again soon. We stopped at Bumpers and I got a Diet Coke, and then we headed home. I texted Mama, to let her know we were on our way back, and to see if she had a bag of coffee we could have, so we wouldn’t have to stop at the store tonight.

            We stopped at Mama & Daddy’s on the way home, and Daddy was there, and his back was hurting him. We talked for a minute, I got the coffee, and then we had to head home, for popcorn stringing, and movies.

            We decided not to walk tonight, because it’s already so late. I’m just hoping on Tuesday when I weigh, that I won’t have gained any pounds, considering I ate 3000 calories for the past 3 days. Uncle Jay and his family are sick this weekend, so he won’t be in to work tomorrow, so I guess we’re going to leave Mama to it tomorrow morning, and she won’t be one bit happy about it, but I’m not going to that clinic by myself, I’m just not.

Saturday, November 24th, 2012

November 24, 2012

Saturday

4:38pm

            7 ½ hours of sleep down. I went to bed at 9pm last night. Brian stayed up til about 12:30am, watching tv and playing with his new phone. We ended up not cleaning ANYTHING, so we’ve got lots to do today.

1:38pm

            I spent the morning sewing, until about 6:30am. I finished one row of crosses, and added it onto the bigger section, and decided I would time how long it takes to do a whole row. I sewed diligently for the next hour, and only had half the row done. So I’m guessing it takes about 2 hours of nonstop sewing, to get a whole row done, and there’s supposed to be 12 rows, and I’m on the 5^th.

            It’s a tedious quilt, as I have to pick out and be selective in which color fabric I’m going to do in each square, trying to make it pretty, and organized but varied in my color selection. So it really takes some thought, is what I’m trying to say. I have probably 20-30 different fabrics I’m using, but even that doesn’t seem like enough for this varied quilt. I’m using yellow, tan, green, blue, red, and black, as it is for my Grandpa, and I don’t think he would like bright purples and pinks. Most all of it has a print, though I do have a few solids in there, but a very, very few. I just didn’t have the fabric, and I’m using what I had left over from my other quilts, and some of Granny’s old fabric too. I did buy a cowboy motif in flannel for the back, and I think I’m going to do a thick navy border around the edges. I’m hoping it turns out nice, and that he will like it, but most importantly, that it will keep him warm.

            I’ve decided that, because the little squares all need to line up, I’m not going to be able to quilt it myself, in sections. I’m going to have to find someone with a quilting machine, and not Mrs. Pat, but someone else, who will use something other than white thread. Granny said that the man who fixes her sewing machines knows some people that quilt, and I prayed about finding the exact right person to help me with these things, as it probably won’t be the last thing I get quilted. I would buy one myself, but they cost 5000 dollars, and I just don’t have that kind of cash.

I could finance it, but we are trying to get out of debt, not add another 5000 to it.

            I went in Brian’s mancave around 7 this morning, to get my Snoozie house shoes, and when I came out, I looked in our bedroom, and saw little peepholes peeping at me. I wasn’t sure, but I thought Brian’s eyes were peeping, so I went in the bedroom and stood for a minute, and peep, again, and knew he was up. He got me to make him a fresh pot of coffee, and then he got up.

            I put on a load of clothes, and called my Granny while Brian drank his coffee. She had been up sewing this morning too. She’s making 6 quilts for her great nephews and nieces for her sister, my Aunt Cindy. We talked about quilts, and what all Mama’s been up to. She usually does her Sunday School lesson on Saturday, so she had that to do today.

            Brian and I discussed getting on the treadmill at 9am, but then we both got hungry, so I made us each 4 pieces of skillet toast, made with Country Crock, and topped with some homemade Mayhaw jelly. So probably 500 calories for breakfast, plus coffee (300)=800 calories.

            I was feeling so LAZY this morning, and just wanted to go to bed. I had picked up in the living room earlier, but I still needed to rearrange to make room for the Christmas tree. I was dreading pulling out the boxes out of the closet, and moving everything I had piled up over this past year. I thought I would put it off a little longer, and decided to take a nap.

            I woke up at 11:30am, and the kitchen was clean. Brian had been busy, and had the couch moved up in the middle of the floor and was sweeping and vacuuming behind the couch. He got his chair moved to the other side of the room, and all I had left to do was move the end table, and he swept and vacuumed under where that was as well, to make a spot for the Christmas tree.

            I folded a load of clothes, and got another load started, and then decided I might as well go ahead and pull out all the boxes, and just see if Brian would get the big box with the tree in it. He agreed to do it, and I got my tree up, and lit up.

            Mr. Sully discovered the boxes, and the tree, and his little kitty self has been investigating ever since. My tree is pretty small, and I’ve about decided I want a real tree next year, if only for the smell of the pine. Maybe, because this tree just really fits nicely in here.

            I decided to go ahead and string my popcorn garland, and so began the hunt for my pack of needles. We looked high and low, all over this house, and couldn’t find them. I called Mama, thinking they may be there, but they weren’t. NO needles. We looked some more, I checked every bag, and then, Brian dug in the junk drawer one more time, and found the whole pack! Thank Goodness, cause I didn’t want to go to town today.

            Brian and I are hungry again, so I’ve put on some Hamburger Helper on the stove, and it’s got about 5 more minutes left, and it will be done.

            At 3 oclock, we’ve got to go right next door, and go to a birthday party for Maddie Smith. We bought her a pack of fingernail polish, body wash, and lotion, because I guess 9 year olds don’t play with Barbies anymore. They all grow up so fast!

            Brian is watching the Georgia game, and is becoming convinced that they can win the Title this year. I’m pretty convinced myself, and really hope they do it. It’s been since 1980 that they’ve won, and they are due. I like Georgia, plus my  honey lived there most of his life, so I’m kinda bias.

6:17pm

            We ate our Hamburger helper (600) =1400 today. I didn’t realize until now how many calories I had today. I popped some popcorn, and went about stringing it up on a piece of thread, to make popcorn garland. I know it’s old timey and old fashioned, but I like the nostalgia of it all, and I think it looks pretty good on the tree because of it.

            I strung up garland until around 3 oclock, when we had to get dressed and go next door for Maddie’s 9^th birthday party. I put her items in a gift bag, and we walked next door.

            We wished Maddie a Happy Birthday, and then hung out for a while, until Denise got out the pineapple sherbet punch, cake, cupcakes, and ice cream. I must confess, I had 2 cups of the punch (400), a piece of cake (300), 1 cupcake (250), and a side of ice cream (400)=1350 just at this party. I was stuffed, and that makes 2750 calories today, and I just am not even going to worry about it. Who goes to a little girl’s birthday party and doesn’t eat her cake and ice cream? I would rather have the calories than not eat at her party. I sure am glad I only had 2 cups of punch, cause I thought about more, that stuff was delicious!

            I caught the end of Maddie opening her presents, but I’m sure she was thrilled with everything she got. I even saw a Barbie car, so it looks like this little girl does still play with Barbies, and I was ill advised at the Family Dollar. Who knew?

            I hung out with Denise for a bit, until she was beckoned from the other room, so I walked outside and hung out with Brian and the boys for a while around the fire, smoking a cigarette. Erica and her friend came out, and then I got tired, and had more popcorn garland to string up, so I left Brian there, thanked them for the good food, and walked back over to our house.

            I got to stringing up the garland, and I missed Brian being at home with  me, and thought about texting him for a minute, and sure enough, before I could, he was walking in the door. He said he figured I missed him, and he missed me, and all was right with the world again.

            I got to feeling like I wanted to walk, I was craving that whatever it is, some call it a rush, I’ll have to see what I think when I get on it tonight.  Brian made me coffee, and now we have just convened in the Mancave for our evening walk. He’s going first, as usual. It helps me to see him go first, because it gives me the motivation to get on there myself. I don’t know what his reasons are, but it works out just fine for me. His goal tonight is 15 minutes. My goal is 30 minutes.

            After I got to walking, my feet starting hurting really bad, so I stopped at 15 minutes, and I had plans to get back on the treadmill and walk another 15 some time tonight. That never happened, and I should’ve known it wouldn’t have, because it’s hard enough to make one block of time for it, much less two or three.

            Mama got her tree up tonight, and texted me a photo and it’s really pretty. She said she has tons of ornaments and picks leftover, and that I could have some if I wanted. If she doesn’t use them, I sure will borrow some, but I feel for sure she can load down her tree with some more ornaments. We have plans for Mama & Daddy to come over next weekend, and watch the SEC Title game with me and Brian here. We’ve planned on making some party food: hot wings, aussie fries, and rotel dip. I think that oughta be enough food, but I may make something else, like a sandwich or something.

            Time really flew by, as I was stringing up the popcorn garland the rest of the night, and watching the Notre Dame/USC game. Notre Dame won, and they are a great team, but I’m still hoping for Georgia this year, but I really wont’ be disappointed if Notre Dame wins, because it’s been a while for them as well, and I like that they give the glory to God, and also pray before the game. I think they’ve really got some good Christian young men on their team.

            Time to hit the hay. We’re going to Mississsippi tomorrow, and have to be up, and I’m just tired. It’s 10:30, so I’ve stayed up later than I usually do, and my bed is calling my name. Looking forward to a good  night’s sleep! GOODNIGHT!

           

           

           

Black Friday, November 23, 2012

November 23, 2012

Black Friday

4:51pm

            I was back to my usual hours this morning, waking up at 4am, having my coffee, and trying to get online. I finally gave up on getting online, and sewed for a couple hours this morning, until around 6:30am, when I decided that since it was Black Friday, I would do a little shopping online.

            I called Mama, woke her up, and asked her to open the door at her home, so I could come over and get online there. Their fiber was fixed last night late, and everything was back up and running smoothly.

            Brian woke up, and I asked him if he wanted to go with me, but he was still in the bed, and decided not to go.

            The drive over was beautiful. It was a calm, still morning, and the sun was making a crescent in orange. It was really peaceful, without much traffic on the road. I guess everyone had already been out for a couple of hours.

            I got to Mama’s, and found some Thanksgiving leftovers. I had confetti corn (200) and pecan pie (380) coffee (300) = 880. I started my Black Friday sales, and found lots of stuff, and added it to my cart.

            Brian called, and wanted me to come pick him up, and I needed some help deciding what to keep and what to take out, so I drove home, picked up Brian, and he drove back.

            Mama and Daddy got up right after we got there, and my cart had been emptied of some of the things that were in it, so I had to add everything back. Total came to about $500.00, and nothing was a Christmas present. It was all great deals on things, but finally, I just decided, to hell with it, and closed my browser. I need that five hundred to buy Christmas this year.

            I can’t say I’m not disappointed, because I am. All the things I picked out were absolutely lovely, and I would have loved to have all of them. It hurts my feelings a bit that I can’t just shop for the things that I want, and not have to worry about having the money to buy it, and still have some in the bank. I don’t understand why we have the amount of money that we have, and why we don’t have more than we have now. I can’t say that we hurt for anything, and we are very, very fortunate and blessed with all the things that we do have. But, I absolutely refuse to love money, just to have some, and this morning when I was thinking about money, and was getting frustrated, a little light shined in my spirit, and I didn’t worry about it anymore. It’s just on days like this, the biggest sales of the year, when everyone and their mother is shopping, that I feel like this. It’s because I’ve  never been able to shop on Black Friday, but I do get to shop all throughout the year. I hate that I feel like this. And I may yet get the things that I had in my cart. Maybe I can sell a few quilts, who knows…?

            I had 2 pieces of lemon pie (500), some dressing (100). I stop at 100, because I only had a couple of bites, and then there it was….. the mystery bite of something that I don’t know what it is, that I have, EVERY…year. When I was a kid, it was chicken bones in Grandma’s dressing, and it’s been other things. This year it was eggshells. I think I’m just going to have to start making my own dressing, because these people aren’t very careful in making it, and I’m sick of the mystery bite, that has become a tradition in my life.

            So 1400 today. Then I had some 4 layer delight (500) = 1900. I got to sewing on Bentley’s baby blanket, and finished the 5 squares I had left to do. I started getting dizzy and sleepy, probably because my sugar was acting up from all the sweets. So I laid down in the recliner, covered up with Mama’s blanket, and took a nap, until about 2pm, and that was at noon.

            When I woke up, Brian was playing with his new DROID. It had finally come in, but my material had not, and it was scheduled to arrive as well, and I couldn’t finish the baby blanket, or Grandpa’s blanket without it.

            I had been wearing Mama’s houseshoes all day, and had absolutely fallen in love with them, so I decided I would buy something today, and set off online to find me a pair. Mama insisted I not order them, but I insisted I should, and then she said, I got you a pair, go get them off my dresser. She bought me purple pair of snoozies, and I’m wearing them right now. They hug my feet, so they stay on well. They aren’t too hot, but are just warm enough. I absolutely love them. Thank you MAMA!

            My material came in, so I cut some strips for my blanket, and then I was ready to go home. I felt like doing some sewing at home, and I had clothes to wash, and we still had to run to Family Dollar for detergent, and a birthday present for Maddie, the little girl next door.

            When we got home, I ate some more 4 layer delight (400) = 2300. I feel like I could eat something else, but I don’t guess I really need it. Brian and I have plans to walk today, and we had better get on it, because it’s 5:19pm now, and it’s getting dark outside.

            LSU is playing Arkansas right now, and it’s a tight game. It always is with Arkansas though. They seem to play harder against us than they do any other team they play. But, we won. So that’s that.

            I feel like we’ve wasted a whole day. It started off great, me really getting a lot done on Grandpa’s quilt, and then…..the shopping, and the eating, and being at Mama’s all day….for nothing, but internet. And now here it is 5:30, and the day is almost over.

7:39pm

            Well, Brian and I mustered up the energy to get on the treadmill tonight! He walked for a mile for 23 minutes, and I walked for 30 minutes, which ended up being about 1.4 miles, because I slowed it down for a cool down with 5 minutes to go. I  could really feel myself working out tonight, and pushing my body, especially starting at after about 15-20 minutes. That last 10 was a push, and I started sweating, and I couldn’t help but think to myself, these are the 10 that really count!

            Brian and I discussed weight lifting, and whether or not we should continue to do that or not. I’ve had numerous people tell me not to lift until I’m about 10-15 pounds from my goal weight, but I am so dang hardheaded I didn’t listen. I really think that’s why it’s been such a struggle to get this weight off, because I’ve been building when I should be breaking down. The whole reason I started lifting in the first place is because my measurements were increasing all the while I was losing weight. I wasn’t happy with that at all. Maybe I just measured wrong one week. I don’t know. I’m going to think that’s what it was for the time being, and not lift for this next month. And when and if I lose the weight easier this month, and my measurements come down too, I’ll be the first to tell Ashley Winters, Girl, You were RIGHT! I should have LISTENED!

            I just got out of the shower, and I feel much better. I’m wanting to put up our tree something serious, but I also want to sew. It’s almost 8pm, and I don’t know if I feel like dragging everything out tonight, because I’ve also got to make some popcorn garland, and that will take a little bit to string up. I’m not one to stay up late, I’m the one to get up really, really early. It suits me just fine to see the sun coming up at 6am, although I wish it would stay up longer in the evening time as well.

            I don’t know, I think I’m just about to go to bed, I’m so tired tonight. Mr. Sully has been in the bed for a while now, and I do believe I’m about to join him. Goodnight!

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012

November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday.

4:16pm

            I can’t say that I woke up early this morning, because when I did, I went back to sleep on the couch until 7am, and then got up and made coffee. It’s Thanksgiving! It just felt like a holiday.

            Brian got up shortly thereafter. I was trying to get online and post yesterday’s blog, complete with photos, which is something I want to start doing, because not all my readers are my facebook friends, as well. Coffee done, Brian asked me to fix him a cup, as usual, so I got up and got our cups of coffee. It probably took me a whole hour, with my internet signal jumping from nada, to 1x, to 3g, and then back to nothing.  I finally got it posted, though, and I hope all will enjoy reading.

            Brian and I discussed getting on the treadmill this morning. We wanted to, and didn’t want to. We thought it would be good to walk, because it would get our metabolisms reared up for all that food today, but then we thought, and decided, Hey, today is a holiday. Let’s take it off.

            It was about 8am when we decided that, and we had decided to be at my parent’s home at 10:30, and we would need to be in the shower by 9, to be ready to go and get dressed. I wanted Turkey dinner right now! But I knew I had to wait, so I made me and Brian 2 grilled cheese sandwiches each, and I ate 2 more pieces of bread plain. 500 calories for breakfast plus coffee (300) = 800 calories.

I spent an hour on facebook, perusing around, liking statuses, and seeing what everybody’s been up to, and wishing Happy Thanksgivings!

            By the time 9am rolled around, I had decided that my hair looked better today than it did yesterday, and that since I had showered yesterday, I wouldn’t shower today, so we had another hour 15 to kill. I was tired, so I went back to sleep on the couch…..until around 11 oclock. Brian had tried to wake me up several times, but I was sleeping so good, I just wanted a little longer…. J You know how that goes.

            We made it to Mama’s by 11:30am. Granny was already there, and my casseroles were waiting on me to put in the oven. They only needed about 40-45 minutes, the oven was hot, so I just slid them in there, and waited.

            Grandma and Grandpa weren’t coming today, as Aunt Jenny was fixing a turkey dinner. Aunt Jenny usually goes to her inlaws home for Thanksgiving, but they were out of town, so she would be home today, and cooking. We will all be over there later this afternoon, to Grandma and Grandpa’s home, for the family festivities.

            Mama ironed the tablecloth, and set everything but the deserts on the table. Daddy carved the turkey, everyone had a glass of tea, and we were set. It was time to eat.

 

 

            Daddy said the blessing and we dug in. I had chicken dressing, confetti corn, broccoli/cheese casserole, squash casserole, green bean casserole, turkey, ham, and deviled eggs, and a homemade roll. I even had some twice baked potato casserole on my plate, but it was pretty salty, so no one ate that, and we’ll just give it to the puppies. I ate almost everything on my plate, leaving only 1 deviled egg, the potatoes, and some broccoli/cheese. Everything else…..well….I devoured.

 

 

            Not forgetting about the desserts, I had a piece of lemon pie, some 4 layer delight, and even some banana pudding. I didn’t think I had eaten all that much though. There was so much left over! We barely put a dent in it, and will have food for days! Granny and I discussed freezing it, but Mama won’t have it, she just wants to give it to the puppies.

            While sitting around the dinner table, we thought about this feast of feasts, that we get around 2x a year. We thought about how unimaginable the feasts must be like in heaven, and they have them all the time up there! Unimaginable….can’t even imagine.

            We sat down in the living room after dinner, and watched a little bit of the Detroit game, and even caught Kid Rock’s half time show. We are all disgusted with the likes of N. Suh, and honestly I really just wish the NFL would just kick him out. There are so many things I think about that player, but I’m not going to say any of them, because I don’t know him personally, only don’t like him from afar, because of his actions on the field.

            I decided I felt like sewing at home, so we left, but not before Mama could pretty much force me to take something home with me. She insisted on taking some banana pudding, for Brian, who is the one who asked for it this Thanksgiving. So I packed 2 containers of desert, one banana pudding, one 4 layer delight, and we also promised to come back Friday afternoon to eat some more Thanksgiving dinner, and take some more home with us then.

            I had to get some cigarettes, so we ran by Cannon’s for tobacco for both me and Brian. I picked up a Black Friday sale paper, and we headed home.

            I was supposed to give Mr. Sully his kitty medicine this morning, but  he was sleeping so sweetly in my sewing room, that I didn’t want to rudely awake him, but planned on giving it to him when we got back today. Sure enough, he was awake and happy on the table when we walked in the door, and I gave him his baby medicine.

            I changed into some shorts, because it’s so hot outside today, and got to sewing. I had it on 98.3, as they usually have a good mix of stuff on there, but today it was all Christmas music. I love Christmas music, but song after song, with no variation….gets…really….old. So I changed the station to K104, country music, and they weren’t playing Christmas just yet, and it suited me just fine.

            I sewed for a couple hours, and thought about putting up my Christmas tree. I discussed it with Brian, and we decided we would do it Saturday, since we are going to be in Mississippi tomorrow all day. We did get my Merry Christmas sign hung in the dining room, and you can see it as soon as you walk in the door.

10:38pm

            Brian watched the Dallas game this afternoon, and they got their butts beat. We are both convinced that the no huddle is the ticket for the Cowboys, because every time they run it, they score a touchdown. Why Jason Garrett won’t run it consistently, we think, is a coaching error, and we are not happy with him one bit. With them behind in the game by 18 points, we decided it was time to go to Grandma & Grandpa’s, and see the Dearman’s.

            There was more food there tonight, as everyone that came brought a dish or two. Everyone ate something, except for me and Brian, who skipped out on the 2^nd feast of the day. I was trying to watch my calories today, and from what I guessed, they were at about 2300 so far, and I wasn’t at all comfortable with eating another 1000 calorie meal.         

            I had a good visit with my cousins: Jesse, Samantha, Adam, & Slayter, and also with Mom & Dad, Grandma  & Grandpa, Uncle Jay & Aunt Angel, Aunt Becky, Aunt Jenny, & Sadie. Everyone told stories of this or that, and I learned a few things about my family today in the process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            Aunt Jenny suggested having a family Christmas party this year, and I volunteered to have it at our home, so I may be super busy over the next few weeks, getting everything ready for a party. It would be our first in this home, but we will see what everyone says, as to whether or not to even have one, and if so, should it be here?

            I am thankful for such a wonderful Thanksgiving with family today, and my prayer is that the Good Lord continue to bless us throughout the holiday season, keep us safe, and bring us closer to Him as we go along, continuing to grow in love, patience, strength, and endurance.