Weekly Weigh-In

Like Michelle, I thought I would post the results of my weekly weigh-in. I'm not neurotic, just on a diet. (or maybe both...) I lost 1 lb, which isn't too bad considering I was kind of ambivalent this week. Not bad, but not super conscientious. I want to lose about 6.5 more. I'll keep you posted! For any of you exercisers- I envy you. That is something I still have not undertaken since I had Bella. I don't want to, but I want to want to. I just don't know what to do. I don't have a gym membership, and it's too cold and dark to go outside before Bella gets up. (also, I hate to run although I want to like it) I don't have any equipment at home, and no videos that I like. So for anyone who exercises, good for you, and tell me what you do. How do you find motivation? I am someone who at least for now does not enjoy excercing, only the results it brings. Anyone have any good DVD's I should know about? (And nobody better tell me weird things like doing squats while you brush your teeth at night, or lifting soup cans while you cook. I'm not that weird. Or desperate.)

Happy Place

This is a flower arrangement that my mom made and gave me from her store, and a pitcher she got me from Home Goods. (Of course they're from my mom-almost everything I have worth owning is from my parents...) I love these things because they are so cheerful. I keep them in my kitchen and they're those kind of things that just make me feel a little bit better to see them.Again, pretty much anything I have worth looking at has been given to me. (Otherwise I would have posted a picture of some cinder-block book shelves and bed sheets stapled to the wall and hung as curtains. Aren't you glad I didn't?) Anyway, when I am done this HOF stuff, the first thing I am doing is getting my house back in order. I've been picking up but not really cleaning, so I need to get back to status-quo for my sanity. But the next thing I am doing are a couple of mini albums. One is a small 'happy book' if you will full of things that, you guessed it, make me happy. So- as I collect ideas of what these things are- I want you to tell me what makes you happy. It can be as mundane or substantial as you want. Orange Orbit gum to your purpose in life. So tell me, *What makes you happy?*

Max's Web Premier!

Yesterday I was treated with a rare visit from Michelle and her kids. I suspect the boys just wanted to see the freaks I call cats, but it was fun to show off my projects to Shell that I can't publish. Dobby/Luna/Little Weird Cat snuggled up with Max for almost an hour! He liked it and was not grossed out for anyone wondering. (yay! for remembering to rotate my pictures)

Scrapathon!

I'm excited today because I am concentrating on scrapping. I have been for quite some time actually, trying to prepare for HOF you know... But the difference is today I will not be a recluse in my pjs! Rachelle is coming over for a few hours to join me, and then I hope to go to Hannah's for a little while tonight and scrap. IT occurred to me yesterday that I am an extroverted recluse. I, like Michelle, border on antisocial behavior in my love to stay home. Unless it's good shopping or a particularly fun event, I'd almost always rather be home. (I guess it's a good thing that I'm a stay at home mom.) However, I don't think anyone would argue that I am somewhat of an extrovert... I am an oxymoron. I won't be able to show any of you what scrapping accomplishments I am making, so just take my word for it- they're outstanding! I tried to take a picture of my scrap mess, but like usual, my camera's batteries are dead. I hate my camera.(jk- I'm just trying to pump myself up...)What are you doing today? (taking a hint from Jill with a question)

Bedazzle Me Embarrassed

I just saw something so sad I felt it my duty to share it with everyone. (I know, its the 4th one today but I'm having a homebound day as usual, so layoff, the dishes are done). All you Apprentice fans will appreciate this- the rest can ignore. I just saw Tana doing a mini-infomercial/commercial for the Bedazzler. Oh the shame! Her career was reduced to this... She said when she was a single mom she made $10,000 in 2 weeks with the Bedazzler. The examples they showed were as you can imagine, very tacky and gauche! (great word- look it up if you don't know) It was just very sad and I am embarrassed for her. It was a henious commercial and a sad decline. Highly entertaining though- keep your eyes open! :)

Okay, after hearing several people say that my picture doesn't look like me I thought I'd try another one- still a self portrait using the same old tricks. This one any better?

I'm sorry!

You guys have to forgive me because I'm retarded, and it never occurs to me to rotate the pictures before I upload them. If you get a crick in your neck, I apologize. p.s. if you enlarge the pictures you can really see the tufts on her ears and the end of her tail. The last picture is just a glamor shot of Smegel for all his fans out there.

"Isn't she gorgeous?!"

(You have to imagine that said with an Australian Steve Irwin, aka The Crocodile Hunter, accent.)The new addition to our family joined us last night. Her name is Luna, but Timm wants to change it to Dobby (the house elf). Now I realize that when it really comes down to it, when you take people down to their most basic level, stripped of pretense,belongings, and ideologies, that people can only be divided into 2 distinct groups-those who think Sphynx are beautiful, and those who think they are hideous. I happen to be of the former group. (Don't worry, for all you in the latter, I will still be your friend. Luckily, these differences don't tend to be divisive.)I don't think she is as pretty as Smegel (her brother) but then who is? That's a pretty high bar if you ask me, and comparing the two just wouldn't be fair. She is the runt of her litter, and she will 3 soon, though she looks like she might be 3 months old. She hasn't been spayed (fixed-she's still 'broken') yet, so she has tufts of hair here and there.(Don't worry, once those pesky hormones are gone the hair should fall out, rendering her truly hairless, which I know if of major concern for all of you) She has hairy edges of her ears that stick straight out like a fringe accessory, fur on the bridge of her nose, some slight growth on her toes, and the best of all- a tuft at the end of her tail. Yes, like a lion. And it's a little bit crimped. For those of you who are not in-the-know, the reason her skin looks mottled is because of the pigment. That's where she would have color if she had fur. She is a 'torbie' or a tortoiseshell tabby. She's very sweet, and a little bit shy, unlike her brother. So far she and Smegel seem to be okay with eachother- they've adjusted pretty well. (they are siblings...) However, I fear this might push Mr. to the edge. He's being entirely neurotic, though I can't say that I blame him too much. He's running around hissing at everything he encounters, picking fights with Smegel, and driving me crazy. I hate to think of what retaliation he's devising. Anyway, visiting hours are officially open, so feel free to come see this beaut'. (Robin, I think you may be the only one actually interested- and Mark of course.) She will also be accepting fan mail via email or comments on my blog.

I am so grounded.

What was I thinking? I just got back from Pebbles. yes, I know, it's not Monday. But I thought (foolishly) I only need a couple of pieces of paper for a particular layout I am working on. What in my past led me believe that I was even capable of buying only a couple of pieces of paper? I just spent $33. Okay, now some of you right now are thinking, congrats- you just got out of Pebbles only spending $33. The rest of you that are in my financial tax bracket are as horrified as I. I do not have $33 in my budget to spend on paper right now, or hardly ever, for that matter. And the stickler is that makes a total of like, $70 in the last month I have spent. That justifies caning, at the very least. The worst part is, I can't even discipline myself- it's not like I can pay it back out of allowance, or work it off or something.. it's just GONE. However, it will be reincarnated in the form of scrapbook art. I gave the money new life, right? It's just been upgraded. I think I am justifying myself by thinking, I need it for my HOF layouts. It's not for me. It's for the contest. And it's not even Monday!!!Who am I kidding? I'm so grounded.

I wish I had her genes... Technically, I do.

My Attempt to Reach Out
Well, for those of you are following this story: Breaking News! Bella is still puny! Yes, she is over 8 months old and she is still way too small. Yesterday she was wearing a 0-3 month outfit and the only problem was it was a little too short.. and not even that much. Not at all tight anywhere. Today she is wearing a 3-6 month outfit, and she can barely keep the pants up. You can see from this picture the way they gap out in the waist. Nevermind the fact that I lent these to Eva about 5 months ago and they were already tight on her bum! (Well, anyway!)
Here's a question for everyone: How do you develop your photos? I want to know if you print them at home what printer you use and ink etc... Or what lab you take them to, or if you order them from any online service. Please tell me the quality of prints also. I am trying to determine what method I should stick with, as there are pros and cons to each. Please tell, EVERYONE :)

CK will not be badgered....

My Attempt to Reach Out
I am so mad at myself!! You know those pages I posted? ('Who I am today').. Yeah, well now I can't submit them for the Hall of Fame b/c it turns out they can't have been posted ANYwhere online. I am so mad at myself for being impatient and posting them. I was really excited about sending those ones in. So now I have to come up with something totally different about myself. I'm also mad at myself b/c I have been emotionally eating today and the last few days. I thought maybe if I told you all that it would shame me into stopping. I'll let ya know. Also- like I've previously stated, I am not techno-savvy, and I can't figure out how to edit my links. Yes, I've already read the help thing about it and I still don't know. Help anyone?

the poster child of productivity

My Attempt to Reach Out
My day so far... Let's see- I am off to a rollicking start. I hadn't showered in a couple of days (eek!) so I decided not to wait until Bella took a nap to shower. Foolishly, I thought if I gave her a couple of toys and plopped her on the bathroom floor, I could safely shower with her shut in the bathroom with me. I peeked out every couple of minutes to make sure she was content. She started getting frantic and crawling around crying... I glanced out from behind the shower curtain, and she has crawled into the corner with the plunger and toilet brush! Now I am the frantic one as I imagine the millions of diseases she is contracting, but alas, I have soap in my eyes and I am still in the shower. I finish as fast as possible, and by the time I have finished she has backed away from the germ pool. Not a very enjoyable shower. Do not try this at home.
Then after I am dressed I notice that my cat Mr. has once again, peed in my laundry. For those of you who have been following this delightful drama, this is it. He's really going this time. Smegel's sister is finally ready for pickup, and I can't waste any more time on a dastardly cat bent on getting my attention by peeing on my clothes. This time they were clean. I emphasize were. Anyone want a nice cat? Or know where I can take him?
Then I put Bella in her high chair and tried to keep her occupied with Cheerios while I caught up with emails etc. I blame Jill and Erin for my child and household neglect. Jill, I know now what you mean. I am the same- I am constantly checking to see if people have added new posts to their blogs, or if anyone has posted comments on mine. If there is nothing new, than I amuse myself by checking my email, or thinking of other things to peruse online until I feel an appropriate amount of time has passed that I can check again. Erin, I blame you for giving me this delightful link to waste time on. Everyone, check it out- I think most of you will enjoy: www.chubbygirlbrigade.com. They're LDS and hilarious. I wasted the next 1/2 hour touring that website, and here I am. It's 11:30, the bed is still not made, I am still in pjs, the dishwasher has not been emptied... basically nothing has been done except that Bella is fed and changed, and I fear it may remain that way for the day.

A freezer full of goodness

I want to share the best thing I have undertaken in quite some time. I credit the idea to my mom, who proposed it to me. The concept is simple, yet feels revolutionary! I have started to cook 2 weeks worth of meals in advance and freezing them. I started it about a month ago, and it is going beautifully. I set aside one day, and I cook like a mad woman the whole day. (Bella permitting). Of course, I plan the menus and shop the day before. Then I divvy the meals up into portions for each night (unless it is a casserole or other complete meal-) and stock the freezer full. You see, I can handle one day full of cooking, but I hate doing it everyday. I hate the mess it creates in my kitchen, and the sheer time commitment. The effect is wonderful. I can't remember the last time that we had a good, home-cooked meal every night. (Did I mention Timm is ecstatic with this situation? He praises my mom often for the inspiration!) Plus, it helps with the diet. I am less prone to just eat whatever is on-hand, because I have a complete meal all pointed out and ready in advance! I love this! This past week I made- are you ready for this? Lasagna, Chili Rellenos Casserole, chicken Cacciatore, Beefy Black Bean chili, Meatloaf, Raspberry-Balsamic chicken, Chicken with Feta sauce, Mexican-style Baked Potatoes, and Sloppy Joes! All in one day! They are all weight Watchers and cooking Light recipes, and this will feed us for at least 3 weeks. I am so loving this. Not to mention Timm.

My Latest Page

This is one of the los that I am submitting for Hall of Fame. Now, it says that they can't be previously published, but I assumed this would be okay- what do you guys think? Let me know...Here's the journaling. (sorry about my shadow....)

"When I was a misguided teenager, I defined myself by the music I listened to, the clothes I wore, and the friends that I had. As I grew older, I eventually shed that image and found more substantial, intrinsic values to guide me. I never would have believed my life to this point if you could have shown me... The last few years have been especially eventful, and at times nearly impossible. I experienced a severe depression after I went away to school, which has only been resolved in the last couple of years. In less than two years time, Timm and I were married, got pregnant, bore and buried our 1st child Lola, got sealed in the temple, and then experienced the successful birth of Isabella. For a while I felt like a victim of so many things. I felt defined by my struggle with depression, which led me to the outskirts of the church and my family. Then Timm and I got married and began working towards going to the temple. Then of course, came the greatest struggle and trial of all- Lola’s death. I felt defined by my grief until this last year sometime, and then defined by my new role as a mother this year. So many life-altering and all-consuming roles I have experienced. These things are all in the past, but live on in the present within me. I have been shaped and molded by my experiences.
So who am I today? Today I feel like I am coming into my own, after a long hiatus. I feel like I am getting to know the true me after being clouded with so much LIFE. I am happy. I am active in church, and sealed to my family- Timm, Lola, and Bella. I have two wonderful daughters- one here on earth, and one waiting for me. I have a sense of peace and assurance about the future and my place. I know that I am a daughter of God, and that is the most intrinsic of all beliefs that guide me. I am feeling great physically. It has taken me 8 months since Bella was born to feel this way. After 2 back-to-back pregnancies, I was able to shed 65 lbs! I feel like I am experiencing a creative revival! Lately I have given myself permission to be more artistic, playful, free, and personal in my design. I don’t feel ruled by anyone else’s vision, but rather inspired by their greatness! Even as a self-confessed embellishment junkie, this page is ‘busier’ than most of my designs, but I wanted to showcase things that I love- all things girly and feminine, flowers, sparkle, buttons, and ribbon! I feel loved, and happy, and at peace. This is who, where, and what I am today- January 20, 2006"

the start of something...

I did it... I've succumbed to peer pressure-kind of. I suppose it's a mixture of pressure and envy. I like the thought of being able to share my thoughts with someone other than Bella (my 8 month old) during the day. Oftentimes she is the only person I see in a day, and although I am a self-confessed home-body, there is a lure to talking to someone other than myself occasionally. I chose this title because I was caught off guard by the need to title it.. Suddenly I felt creative pressure and just spit it out. I have been nicknamed 'the badger' by my family for what I like to refer to as a 'persistent' nature. Badgers get a bad rap though.. They're not all bad. They are tenacious, and tenacity has gotten me through some tough times... Also, like I always say in refererance to my nagging nature...'Hey, I wouldn't do it if it didn't work.'
I couldn't figure out how to make this the picture for my profile... so here it is all big and out there. If anyone (ahem, Jill) can tell me how to work it- please do. I am not techno-savvy. Until next time...jt