I'm a loser!

September 29, 2007

I'm a loser!

That's right! I'm a loser! I lost 4.4 lbs. last week and I'm really happy with my efforts and how I'm feeling. I know I'll hit hurdles, probably soon, but this is doable for me and I'm doing really well. I'm planning and learning and truly those 4.4 lbs. represent a weight lifted off of me mentally. I feel more energetic and optimistic about life. And I can still enjoy life and be on program which is really the point. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle.

I enjoyed a nice dinner and a glass of wine and then went out with friends last night and had 2 cocktails and I was still on program! How about that! And we did have fun last night. I went out with 2 girlfriends and we laughed and listened to music and socialized and it was just what I needed.

Have cleaning and knitting and reading to do. I love the weekends! Hope you have a great one.

Friday's Feast #13/162

September 28, 2007

Friday's Feast #13/162

Appetizer
How are you today?
I'm doing pretty well. I'm optimistic about my first weigh in at Weight Watchers after starting last week. I feel energetic and happy. Still have a bit of a headache but it's not too bad.
Soup
Name 3 television shows you watch on a regular basis.
Ugly Betty, Grays Anatomy, Dancing with the Stars
Salad
What’s the scariest weather situation you’ve experienced?
When I lived in MN, I had to go to the basement a few times when the tornado siren came on, that was scary.
Main Course
If you could wake up tomorrow morning in another country, where would you want to be?
Venice, Italy. I love the art, the culture, the food.
Dessert
What do you usually wear to sleep?
I like comfy cotton Hanes pants and tops to wear to bed or I like flannel nightgowns. I know, sexy huh. But I like comfort.

The gateways to wisdom and learning are always open, and I am choosing to walk through them.

The gateways to wisdom and learning are always open, and I am choosing to walk through them.

Today is my first weigh in, kind of anxious, or maybe more excited to see if my efforts this week are going to show. I have been totally on program and really feeling good about my efforts this week. I've tried 2 WW recipes, and they were both very good. I'm liking the program a lot.

I'm so happy it's Friday! I can't wait for the weekend. I've had a lot more energy lately so I'm hoping to get some things done over the weekend. I HAVE to get out my SP11 package and also a gift to someone.

I'm not sure I've mentioned it before but if you are on Ravelry, I started a group called cat knits and you are all welcome to come join us. We talk about our furbabies and our knitting/crocheting/crafts. We've also played a couple games of bingo which has been fun for me to put together. That's the other package I have to get mailed. I try to ship as soon as possible, but you know, life gets in the way.

I started a pink Baby Kimono for my boss who needs it for a gift, I'll get that done this weekend I'm sure, I started it last night and I'm about a third done. The pattern is in a garter stitch, but I switched this one to a stockinette and I may embroider some flowers on it. I'm using Knitpicks merino yarn and i love knitting with it. And speaking of Knitpicks, I want those new Harmony needles! Aren't they the coolest! I'm thinking of buying a set for my cousin who is a new knitter. They will be her Christmas present.

I received a book for my Secret Pal that I will include in her next gift but I'm coveting! Oh, this is a cool book and I want it, I want to keep it....but no, I'll be good and give it to the person it was intended for. Can't say which book just in case but I think I found a style of knitting I have to try.

I'll post my weightloss later! (See how confident I am!)

Thursday Thirteen Edition #30

September 27, 2007

Thursday Thirteen Edition #30

Thirteen inspirational or motivational quotes regarding weight loss. You have to stay in shape. My grandmother, she started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 today and we don't know where the hell she is. ~Ellen Degeneres You may delay, but time will not. ~Benjamin Franklin You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be. ~David Viscott You must do the thing you think you cannot do. ~Eleanor Roosevelt You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?" ~George Bernard Shaw Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality. ~Ralph Marston You're never beaten until you admit it. ~George S. Patton You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. ~Lee Iacocca Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time. ~Mark Twain If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end. ~Julius Erving If you want to look young and thin, hang around old fat people. ~Jim Eason Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can. ~Unknown Author It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up. ~Vince Lombardi

MS3 pics!

September 24, 2007

MS3 pics!

Here's my lovely Mamacita modeling the Swan Lake MS3 for you!

And I'm so happy with it, that I decided to block another lace stole I had waiting to be blocked. This one will be done maybe tomorrow.

Have a great evening!

I have faith in the unlimited loving power of the Universe.

I have faith in the unlimited loving power of the Universe.

Not such a good weekend. I've been having headaches and neck pain since I hit my head last weekend. Mamacita suggested I go to urgent care which I never thought of. I just thought I'd have to make an appointment with my regular Dr. and get in when i could, but this was a much better option. And although it was a Sat. around noon, they were not so busy, I was called in really pretty soon, and I was out of there with 1.5 hours. The Dr. didn't think I needed a cat scan, he said he thought I sprained my neck muscles, so he prescribed an anti-inflammatory to take for the week and he said it should be better by then. I had some of that prescription at home so I did a little grocery shopping and headed home. It was pouring rain when I got out of the Dr's. I love the rain and we need it badly in So. CA. So I came home and knit and watched some TV. I also made dinner. I made chicken breasts with watermelon salsa. It's a WW recipe and Mamacita and brother seemed to like it.

I went to my first WW meeting Friday during work and I really liked the leader. A young guy, good looking, funny and caring. His meeting lasted about 30 minutes and they encourage you to bring your lunch and have it during the meeting. So this weekend I've been reading up on the plan and figuring out meals and writing down my food and I'm feeling good. I like the plan because it's real food and it's healthy and balanced and no food is off limits. I had 2 glasses of wine Sat. night, but i was within my points.

Friday night I finished the MS3 stole! I was a little nervous about blocking it because I've never done that before. But Sunday I was feeling OK, so I soaked it for half hour in a gallon of cold water with the soak stuff in it and then i carefully squeezed it to get what water I could out of it and then I got busy and blocked it. And it was so much fun! I loved how when you put the wires in and blocked it the pattern would pop. Look...

Tonight I'll try to take pics of it on. It should be completely dry by then. I really like it. And there is another lace stole KAL starting October 5. It's called Secret of the Stole and you are welcome to join by October 4. I've already joined and I already have the yarn and the beads! Yeah!

My daily goal today is to drink my 64 oz. of water and to write down all my food. Hope you have a happy Monday!

Thursday Thirteen Edition #29

September 20, 2007

Thursday Thirteen Edition #29

Thirteen quotes about cats that Mitchypoo likes. "People who hate cats, will come back as mice in their next life." - Faith Resnic "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." - Unknown "Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function." - Garrison Keillor "Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want." - Joseph Wood Crutch "The cat could very well be man's best friend but would never stoop to admitting it." - Doug Larson "The really great thing about cats is their endless variety. One can pick a cat to fit almost any kind of decor, color, scheme, income, personality, mood. But under the fur, whatever color it may be, there still lies, essentially unchanged, one of the world's free souls." - Eric Gurney "If you yell at a cat, you're the one who is making a fool of yourself." - Unknown "Way down deep we are all motivated by the same urges, cats have the courage to live by them." - Jim Davis "Essentially, you do not so much teach your cat as bribe him." - Lynn Hollyn "Cats were put into the world to disprove the dogma that all things were created to serve man."- Paul Gray Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet. - Colette ...You are my cat and I am your human. - Hilaire Belloc It is in their eyes that their magic resides.- Arthur Symons

I love myself totally in the now.

September 19, 2007

I love myself totally in the now.

I'm starting Weight Watchers on Friday. They are having a class start in my building. It's convenient for me and it may be the support and encouragement that I need. I was disappointed with the weight management class I went to for a few reasons and found myself not really applying myself or wanting to continue the class. So, for at least 12 weeks, that's what I'll be doing~ Weight Watchers. It'll be nice to get to know some of the other girls in the building a little better. They seem nice enough but I don't have so much opportunity to socialize with them, this will change that a little. I hear the leader is a guy and they really like him, he's fun and energetic. I hope I can take him. Sometimes, or maybe it's just me, but when you don't feel good about yourself, it's irritating to have all these peppy people around. On the other hand, it may be just what I need.

I'm about 30 rows down until my MS3 stole is done! Can you believe it!? Well, many people have already finished....weeks ago...but I'm slow I guess, or not concentrated, but I want to get it finished and blocked. I have blocking wires now and haven't used them yet, I can't wait to see my finished object, I think I love it. I think I have to find the exact right top to wear with it and I will be wearing it, I can assure you.

I found an earth friendly cleaning product that I just love. The only reason I care about using less toxic chemicals is because of our furbabies and because I've been watching How Clean is Your House?. Have you seen it? Oh my goodness graciousness! If you think your house is a mess, watch this show! I'm truly amazed how they take some of these pits and clean them up. It's actually motivating for me to watch. Anyway....the cleaning item is called Mrs.Meyer's Clean Day. I got the Lemon Verbena counter top cleaner and it's really good stuff. I found it at my local Wild Oats, which is similar to Whole Foods, but you can mail order too. It makes me want to clean. How weird is that!!!

The weather is changing...and we're getting rain tomorrow. I love it! I want to start dressing warmer and wearing knitted items and I always want to make a nice pot of soup when it's raining.

One of those days

September 17, 2007

One of those days

Yesterday we went to do some shopping, got some dinner and ate at my brother's place. Then I had a little cleaning spurt and was working on the cat box and converting it because we got a Litter Locker and we were using litter pan sifting bags (which didn't really work so well), so I had to get in this tight spot to sweep and scrape because it's on the side of the washing machine and then I whacked my head......and HARD.... on the corner cabinet that was above me. Oh my stars...it hurt...Mamacita had me sit down and gave me an ice pack. I was sure I was bleeding, but didn't find any blood. Dang that hurt!

This morning when waking up I had a headache, so I probably got a little concussion and I just wanted to relax and so I called in to work. I'm still in my jammies and why change now? It's actually been nice to knit and take it easy. I'm determined now to get the MS3 stole done.

It's cooled down here and I feel Autumn in the air. And that spurs my knitting bug as well.

Time to go lay down now...

How spoiled am I? :)

September 16, 2007

How spoiled am I? :)

Sorry I didn't post until now Sassy...but I wanted to show each item and show how sweet and generous you have been to me and I didn't want to rush it. My wonderful SP11 whom I call Sassy sent me 2 wonderful recipe books from the Pampered Chef which I just love.
Really cute note pad/stationary with cute kitty motif, recipe cards and sheep sticky notes. How cute is that?!
The most beautiful color of purple project bag, I will definitely be using this for a sock pattern or something like that.
It's called a pot hanger, which I'm not sure but I guess you could hang it off a plant pot? But I think this cute kitty is going to have a special place on my desk at work so I can ooh and ahh after it!
A skein of beautiful Fjord yarn. It's soft and pretty and helped my yarn withdrawal. :)

An assortment of patterns, for kitty toys, etc. Does she know me or what?

A really cute card and 3...count them...3! skeins of really pretty cotton sock yarn. Well, I think this will just have to be for moi! I love these colors.

And....cuticle cream which is really cool and much needed, 2 MORE skeins of another sock yarn which I love and some soak containers.

And....look at this!!! Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen! It's a black face sheep named Heather. It's a figurine and she's wearing boots and a scarf and a knit hat. I simply love it and think I have another thing I'm going to have to collect! I think she'll also come live on my desk and greet all my customers!

Sassy, you really are the best. You took so much time and I feel you've really tried to get to know me. This SP11 has been fun so far and you are why. Thank you!

I even went to a new LYS on Saturday and I DID NOT buy any yarn for me! It was hard, but I controlled myself, especially since I have all this new yarn from Sassy. I got some goodies for my SP. I hope she likes it.

Have to go get cleaned up, we're going out to do some shopping.

Sassy is so sweet!

September 14, 2007

Sassy is so sweet!

I got home a little late last night because my best bud and I finally were able to go have some dinner. I went to wait for her at the bar and the drink I settled on was a Pomegranate Pear martini and it was pretty and yummy. I ended up waiting about an hour for her to arrive, she called me and was really upset at her hubby, I guess he was a little late getting home, but it was OK with me because I needed to just relax a bit. We had a nice dinner, good conversation.

But looky what was waiting for me when I got home. And of course, Tom Tom has to be in the picture, somehow, someway!

I was so excited to open it!

And all I can say is.... WOW!!!!! I am going to show you all the goodness later today or over the weekend, but let's just say that my pal who I affectionately named Sassy is THE BEST!! Talk about thoughtful and I truly am spoiled. I mean, even the way she packaged everything is so dang cute! See...see!

The one thing I did pull out was a toy mouse which as you can see, Tom is totally enjoying!

Thank you Sassy! You really made me smile!

I love my job. My work is one of my greatest joys.

September 13, 2007

I love my job. My work is one of my greatest joys.

Yes, I do love my job, most of the time. But I have a bad case of don't want to be here. I'd rather be at home knitting, or on a beach soaking up some rays, or traveling Europe. I'd rather be anywhere right now. But I have dinner plans with my best bud tonight, so I guess I can make it thru the next 2 hours. Trying to decide what to drink tonight. I'd like to try something new. I'm starting to think martini's are so last year. Which I don't care too much about it being out of style, but I'd like to find another satisfying cocktail. Wine is always a good go to for me, but I want a cocktail is that isn't too foo foo or too sweet. What do you suggest?

I'm over the customer service situation and enjoying my hand cream without guilt. I appreciate the comments because I know I shouldn't have had to pay for their mess up.

Today is Thursday Thirteen and I haven't posted and I don't care...I just don't feel like playing so much these days.

I guess the fact that the one guy I recently said goodbye to called me today at work is really bothering me right now. I feel snarky again... I was totally caught off guard when he called. My boss happened to be in my office when he did. I answered as usual and it went something like this...
him: "Hi, I need help..." (thinking he could be an actual customer, i say...)
me "How can I help you. "
him: "Hi, it's me. "
me: "Oh....hi."
him: "Hi, how are you?"
me:"Umm...it doesn't really matter, does it?"
him: "Well, I didn't want to bother you at work, but it does really matter to me how you are."
me: " Mmmm hmmm" as in, ya, right...
him: "well, i'll talk to you later."
me: "k, bye." Quick click. Geez, leave me alone. You don't want to be who you told me you were and showed me you were in the beginning so why put me thru this over and over? Stupid men.

September 12, 2007

I received an order in the mail yesterday for some beauty items and while opening the package realized that I think they made a mistake and shipped me 2 of 1 item instead of the one I ordered. I was pretty sure it wasn't a 2 for 1 sale and the item was over $20. so I called the company and told them. It was a weird exchange. They asked what I wanted to do. I said I'd send it back but I didn't want to pay postage, they said it cost them more than the item to arrange a pick up. It was evident that they wanted me to pay for the 2nd misshipped item but why should I have to do that? She then said, kind of exasperated, just keep the item. I feel a little funny about this. I feel like it should be returned but then I feel that I tried to resolve it and why should I have to spend another $20. plus dollars because they messed up my order? Well, I gave the item to Mamacita and I'm going to try and not worry about it anymore.

I'm working on an entrelac scarf and think I'm going to give it to my female boss because the colors remind me of her. It'll be a Christmas gift. I got the yarn from a crafts store that I haven't been to in a long while and I must say I'm quite impressed with their selection of yarns and supplies. I believe the demand is evident and they are listening. There are some really nice yarn choices now and I love that. I'm using Patons SWS which is a new yarn to me, but a new favorite! And Creative Knitting mag has a pattern for a nice sweater in this very yarn. I really like this Cables and Lace Jacket although I think the striping would be hard to match up as shown in this pic. But they have solid colors and kind of heathered yarns and it would be pretty made up in that. But I need another project like I need a hole in the head! So I will control myself.

I'm having trouble getting to know my SP11 receiver. She doesn't post much and I'm just a little stuck. And it's difficult because I have the nicest SP11 pal who is already doing a good job of spoiling me! She's motivated me to keep trying with my pal.

How could we ever forget?

September 11, 2007

How could we ever forget?

It's one of those days that you will never forget where you were when you first heard, will never forget the terror you felt in your heart, will never forget the images that we were forced to deal with. I only knew of one person who lived in NY, she is originally from the midwest and she's a family friend. She was named after my Mamacita and we knew she lived and worked near there. We also knew of her brother who is an airline pilot and we didn't know where he was or if he could have been one of the pilots. All turned out well for them, our friend in NY was near it but not harmed and the pilot was in Europe and was affected because it was a while before he was allowed to fly back to the states. We are so lucky not to have lost anyone, but I feel like I lost people anyway and I did. We all did. We lost our fellow Americans, our family.

I'm a Winner!

September 9, 2007

I'm a Winner!

Looky who won 3rd place at the Chili Cook-off! There were 10 entries and the party was a lot of fun.
Here's what I won, a really nice 3rd place medal, a USC poster, a Chili oven mitt and kitchen towel and a really cute chili candle holder. How cool is that!?
Mamacita didn't end up wearing Viking garb. And we forgot our camera and we forgot that we had camera phones, so we took a few pics after getting home. The party was fun! And my friends Mother who usually doesn't have a whole lot of anything to say to me came up to me just to compliment me on my hair, she loved it, told me it was very complimentary on me, she was really sweet. And an old friend who hadn't seen my hair yet also liked it. She said she didn't recognize me at first. The oddest thing was I saw a pic of me at the party from last year and I hated it and I think I looked bigger and the old friend asked me how much I've lost since last year! She thought I lost at least 20 lbs. Amazing.

Happy Caturday!

September 8, 2007

Happy Caturday!

Here's my cutie Tom who really loves my new poodle comforter! He thinks I got it just for him I think! It is really nice and I guess it was worth the almost 2 week wait to get it. My only complaint about the company is their shipping speed.

Just about to jump in the shower to get ready for a Chili Cookoff that Mamacita and I are going to this afternoon. It's at my best bud's Aunt's house, about a mile from my home. They have this huge outdoor party with a bar and 2 bands and tons of food. The theme this year is Football so Mamacita and I will be wearing our Viking jerseys! My jersey has Dante Culpepper's name and number and it's actually signed by him! I got it for my brother about 5 years ago when I lived in MN. Actually my niece went up to him at an appearance and got his autograph. Mamacita is wearing Randy Moss's jersey. I hope she doesn't get booed. He was so full of shenanigans but overall he's very talented too. I plan to have a good time, I can't wait to see if Mamacita wins for the 2nd year in a row!

Pics to follows!

Friday's Feast #12/159

September 7, 2007

Friday's Feast #12/159

Appetizer
Using only one word, how does grocery shopping make you feel?
Fantastic
Soup
What is your favorite part about the season of Autumn?
I love the cooler weather, the fall colors, the huge fall magazines, the fall clothes, wearing sweaters again, Oktoberfest, the leaves changing, canning, apple picking. I love Autumn.
Salad
Have you ever had any bad experiences online?
I've had a few, somebody who exposed himself online.
Main Course
Name three things that make you happy daily.
My cats, my Mamacita and my knitting.
Dessert
What one household cleansing or organizing item would you not want to be without?
Bleach.

Thursday Thirteen #28

September 6, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #28

I'm having a lot of anxiety right now so bare with me.... Thirteen Random things that makes Mitchypoo would rather be doing right now! Sleeping. Knitting. It always soothes me. Having a cup of good English tea. Preferably with a homemade currant scone just out of the oven and Devonshire cream...but that isn't good for my food plan! In a nice bubbly bathtub, enjoying a glass of wine, reading my book, having some candles glowing and some nice relaxing Zen music. Laying on the beach catching some sun. On a tropical beach in the Bahamas. Having a spa day, a whole day wearing a big huge comfy robe and going for a facial and massage and foot massage... Finding a yarn store with a nice comfy chair and losing myself in some books, new yarn and a new project. Book store...checking out magazines I don't have, finding some good reads. Having lunch at a restaurant, maybe a salad with shrimp....or crab cakes. Driving up the coast of CA...by myself, with the radio blaring. Touring a winery, sipping the wines. Cooking in my kitchen, trying a new recipe, cooking is also therapeutic for me.

How come my blinkies won't show up?...the coding is there. Anyone that can help me?

This year I do the mental work for positive change.

September 4, 2007

This year I do the mental work for positive change.

I hope you all had a good long holiday weekend. We all roasted to death here in So. Cal. And unfortunately I mean that literally. I heard last night of an older couple who were found dead in their apartment, they had no a/c or fans and passed away. I've had a couple elderly clients come in today to make a payment and I've asked them if they have fans because I'm scared for them. Yesterday while in the car it was 110 degrees outside! Today it was only 93 at lunch. Isn't that amazing? 17 degrees cooler and it was still 93.

We went to the movies yesterday to get out of the heat for awhile and we saw Superbad. It was really funny, we all enjoyed it. It has a message, but it's subtle. I thought my brother was going to choke, he got to laughing so much. We needed the comic relief. And this theater let's wheelchairs in free so that is very cool!

Looky what I got in the mail! My wine from the Sunset Wine Club! I'll have to post a pic later but I'm so excited. I'm thinking of having a wine tasting dinner party to try the wines out. Or maybe Mamacita and I will just enjoy one, I don't know. But I love the club because they give you information about the individual wines, they also give you recipe cards to meals that will be complimentary to each wine. And with membership I get a discount if I want to buy more bottles and there is all kinds of information online and other recipes. I'm going to have fun with this!

I started the wing on MS3 and I'm so determined to get it done now, I can't wait to get it done and blocked! It's quite repetitive to knit the wing but sometimes I really like repetitive knitting. You kind of get into a rhythm.

I also finished the Prayer Shawl, so I have to take some pics and give to my neighbor. I think it looks nice, but then it's kind of hard to appreciate it because it just seems like it would be hot and hot is not what we want now.

I am 12 years old...

September 1, 2007

I am 12 years old...

I was running an errand this morning and went by a street in my neighborhood and happened to look at the street sign and........huh.....scccrreeetch.....heehee...lol! Look what somebody did.. Somebody turned Doner street into Boner street! It made me laugh...and yes, I'm 12 years old!

Here is a pic of the chocolate cheesecake I made for my bosses birthday! Everyone really liked it, my boss said it was the quality of what you'd get in a fancy restaurant. I did have a small piece and I enjoyed it. It had a chocolate crust made out of old fashioned chocolate wafers, tons of semisweet and bittersweet chocolate and lots of other yummy, full fat ingredients! It had a sourcream and sugar topping and then I piped the lattice and border.

And finally, this pic is for my friend P who thinks I should put more pics of me on my blog. So....there you go! :)