• Jul. 16, 2008
She's okay!

A few minutes after Jeremy and Theresa headed to the emergency room last Saturday, I prayed that the ER wouldn't be busy, and that they would get in quickly.  When they got home, Jeremy told me that the ER was unusually quiet, and they didn't have to wait long.  Anyway, it turns out that only one ear still had paper in it, and they were able to get it out.  Afterward, Theresa told me: "My first trip to the emergency room, and it didn't hurt at all!"  It seems I scratched the inside of her right ear, so we got some antibiotic eardrops for that.  And she's just fine now.  But she definitely learned her lesson; she'll never put anything in her ears again.

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• Jul. 12, 2008
The things kids come up with!

Tonight my sweet, darling firstborn daughter decided she didn't want to hear the television, which, in fairness to her, Daddy did have turned up pretty loud.  So she stuffed paper in her ears.  Wet paper.  Stuffed in her ears.  Now I don't mean she stuck paper in the outer part of her ears.  She stuffed her entire ear canals.  No wonder she couldn't hear me calling her name!  Of course I didn't realize how deep it was until I tried to get it out.

I used a hairpin to try to get the paper out.  I got most of it, but I couldn't reach the last bits in each ear.   I'm pretty sure they were resting against her eardrums, and I wasn't going to reach in there blindly.  So we tried peroxide.  Thought that might loosen it up, because of the bubbles.  Ummm, nope.  Okay, so we tried calling people we thought might know whether this was an emergency-room situation, or something that could wait for Monday.  I tried to call my mom, but nobody answered at home, and she didn't answer her cell.  She was probably at work.  She was my first choice, because she raised seven children, and I'm sure some of us put stuff in our ears at some point.  Then I tried calling my neighbor Courtney, but she wasn't home, and I don't have her cell number.  So Jeremy called his aunt, Wanda, who had been a nurse once upon a time.  After a few minutes of chatting, it was decided that Theresa was heading to the emergency room for the first time in her life.  But I wanted to try one more thing.  I thought if she took a bath, the water might loosen up the paper and make it come out.  Yeah, that didn't work any better than the peroxide.  But at least she's clean now! 

So Jeremy and Theresa left a few minutes ago.  Fortunately we live about two minutes from the hospital.  Of course, knowing how emergency rooms are, and realizing that they are probably busier than usual, since it is Saturday night, they might be there for hours.

I've always thought Grace was the most difficult child, but Theresa has to learn things the hard way.  She may prove to be the bigger challenge.  On the bright side, though, she has a very good imagination!  She sorta reminds me of Anne.  Anne Shirley, that is.  Anne of Green Gables.  Minus the red hair, of course.

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• May. 16, 2008
My first knitting pattern!

I have been very very busy lately.  This week, I designed and knit a skirt.  And I decided to offer the pattern for free here on my blog.  So without further ado.....

“Christine” flounced pencil skirt

Designed by Christine Olson

Since this is my first pattern, and I made it for myself, I decided to give it my name.  It is knit in the round, with no seaming.  I originally made the large size, so the numbers for the small and medium versions are the ones in the parentheses.

"Christine" is a very easy, very feminine skirt.  It has several inches of negative ease, so that it hugs the curves.  If you prefer a less form-fitting skirt, you could make a larger size and add an elastic waistband.  

It is intended to sit 2-3 inches below the natural waist, so if you like a higher waistband, you’ll need to figure in extra length.  Also, I have short legs, and like knee-length skirts.  If your legs are longer, or you prefer shorter skirts, you will want to adjust the pattern accordingly. 

At some point, I intend to adapt the pattern to make smaller versions for my daughters, and I will publish that here on my blog as well.

(S-32, M-38) L-42 inch hip (finished unstretched garment size: 32 inches around)

Gauge: 5 stitches/inch (20 stitches/4 inches)

3 balls Wool-Ease worsted yarn for size Large. (I used the “Mink” colorway.)

29 inch US 8 circular knitting needle (Or size needed to obtain proper gauge)

Cast on (120,140)160 stitches.  Place a marker, and join, being careful not to twist.

Waistband

Work in K2P2 rib for 1 ½ inches.

Body of skirt

Work in stockinette stitch until the work measures 18 inches long (or roughly 3 inches shorter than your desired length).

Flounce – (Small) and Large sizes.  See separate instructions for Medium

Eyelet round: *K4, yo* repeat until end of round. (30)40 stitches increased, (150)200 stitches total

Work in stockinette stitch for 4 rounds.

Increase round: *K(15)20, M1* repeat until end of round. 10 stitches increased, (160,)210 stitches total

Work in stockinette stitch for 3 rounds.

Increase round: *K(16)21, M1* repeat until end of round. 10 stitches increased, 220 stitches total)

Work in stockinette stitch for 2 rounds.

Increase round: *K(17,19)22, M1* repeat until end of round. (10 stitches increased, 230 stitches total)

Work in stockinette stitch for 2 rounds.

Bind off.  (I bound off as if I were binding off K1P1 ribbing, to avoid the visible chain on the bottom edge of the skirt.

Flounce (Size Medium)

Eyelet round: *K5, yo* repeat until end of round. 28 stitches increased, 168 stitches total

Stockinette: 4 rounds

Increase round: *K21, M1* repeat until end of round.  8 stitches increased, 176 stitches total.

Stockinette: 3 rounds

Increase round: *K22, M1* repeat until end of round. 8 stitches increased, 184 stitches total

Stockinette 2 rounds

Increase round: *K23, M1* repeat until end of round.  8 stitches increased, 192 stitches total.

Stockinette 2 rounds.

Bind off.

Thread a ¼ inch wide ribbon through the eyelets and tie in a bow, or pull ends inside and tie for a more streamlined look.

Copyright © 2008 by Christine Olson

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• May. 2, 2008
I've been tagged!

Renna at http://findingmyknitch.blogspot.com/ has tagged me...well, technically she tagged "anyone reading" her post.  And that includes me.  So I'm supposed to tell you 6 things about myself that you might not know.

1: I can learn anything I want to.  When I was a teenager, I taught myself to ice skate, with jumps and spins and all that.  This year I'm learning to knit.  I've just started a beautiful lace scarf...I hope it turns out well; it's more complicated than I originally thought. My mom taught me the basics of sewing, and my mother-in-law taught me how to set in sleeves...I taught myself the rest of what I know.  I've sewn all sorts of things: curtains, bedding, clothes... I even made my sister Rebekah's wedding dress a couple of years ago...and I'm hoping to make another one soon (probably next year-ish) for my sister Joy.

2: I'm a very careful driver.  Jeremy likes to joke that I'm not, but I've never had an accident, and he's had three since I've known him.  I follow my dad's advice from when he was teaching me to drive: "Drive like everyone else on the road is out to get you."  Sounds a little paranoid, I know, but it's kept me safe.

3: I spend much too much time on the internet...checking email, reading The Swap (www.theswap.com), ebaying, reading knitting forums, reading blogs... it's addictive.

4: I like building stuff.  I don't get much time for it, but when I do...There's just something so rewarding about taking a design from my own imagination, and making it real.  *sniiiiiiiiiff, ahhhhhhhh* I love the smell of fresh sawdust!

5: I homeschool my children for many reasons, but the main one is that I like to be around them.  I can't imagine being separated from them for 7 hours a day!  The most I can handle is an hour or two here or there.

6: I met my husband when I was eighteen, and knew within 6 months that I was going to marry him.  We married when I was nineteen and a half, and shortly after I turned twenty, we started growing our family.  I am now a 27-year-old mother of three, and there are days when I feel like I might go crazy...but then I've been crazy for years.

And I'm going to do the same thing as what Renna did...if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged!

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• Apr. 23, 2008
I didn't fall off the face of the earth!

I'm just lazy!  I use my computer several times a day, and have thought about writing more than a few times.  But then I'm hit by the feeling that my life is boring and nobody would want to read about it.  And of course, I know it isn't true, but it's still hard sometimes to find the humor or even just interest in housework and schoolwork and laundry. 

So, here's the update on my life...my mom and sisters came for a week earlier this month, and we really enjoyed having them here.  We were all sad to see them leave.  While they were here, Jeremy and I took off for a couple days, and left the girls with...the girls.   They had a great time.  We also had fun, though I caught a nasty cold and got a terrible sunburn.  My skin is still peeling, though the burn has pretty much faded now into a tan.  I felt so bad that I didn't even feel like knitting.  I'm feeling better now, though.  I'm about 2/3 of the way done with a gorgeous burgundy skirt I'm knitting with a wool-blend yarn.  I can hardly wait to finish it; I love the feel of the yarn, and the style of the skirt is very nice.  When I finish it, I'm going to frog the grey one and re-do it.  It's too big, and it seems to get a little looser every time I wash it.  So I'll make it a smaller size, but a little bit longer.  I'll post pics of each when they're done.

I'm going to teach Theresa to knit.  I don't anticipate it will be easy, but she's pretty smart.  And I think it will help to improve her small-motor skills, which will, in turn, improve her handwriting.  She has finished her math book for this school year.  We'll start on the next one in June.  She is still reading everything in sight.  I got the Narnia series at a yard sale last Saturday.  By Sunday night, she had finished reading the first book.  Now she's reading Prince Caspian; I told her she should read it before the movie comes out.  I think I'll surprise her by taking her to see it in the theater if she finishes the book.  It depends on how long of a movie it is; I don't know if she would be able to sit for three hours in a theater.  We'll see.

Grace is still not ready to be still long enough for me to teach her letters, so we're just doing it very casually.  She will point to letters on books or toys or tshirts and ask "What letter is this?"  I'll tell her the letter and the sound it makes, and mention a few words that begin with the letter.

Julia is cruising all over the place, and can even stand alone for a few seconds at a time.  She's not walking yet, but she will any day now.  She had her birthday on April 9th.

Hmmm...it has gotten pretty quiet in the playroom.  I better go see what my little troublemakers sweethearts are getting into.

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• Mar. 19, 2008
Got my hair cut...

Finally!  I've been needing a haircut for a while.  So this afternoon, I put Grace and Julia down for their naps, got Theresa started on her journal entry, and drove two blocks to the hair salon.  I didn't go to the closest one; I didn't like the cut they gave me last time.  There's a salon next to the thrift shop I frequent.  So I decided to try that one.  I got my hair cut and styled by a very nice Colombian man named Carlo.  He did a really good job.  My hair is shoulder-length now.  I'm thinking about buying a straightener.  He used one on my hair, and I really like how it looks.  He was quite a talker; I don't know many men who talk so much.  He talked about the places he's lived, and the careers he's had.  It turns out he's a pilot, so I think Jeremy will get a kick out of that.  I'll have to send Jeremy over there next time he needs a haircut.

It was so nice to just get out of the house for an hour, and to carry on a conversation with another adult without having to interrupt every other minute to tell my children to behave.  It's not often I get to relax and have someone pamper me. 

On a totally different topic...Happy Birthday, Dad!  I love you!

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• Mar. 18, 2008
Hyperactivity...

I was listening to Grace, playing in the other room, and suddenly remembered this song.  It was one of my favorites, once upon a time... hope this works...

Darn, it didn't.  Okay, here's a link instead...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Pf-HzM0kM

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• Mar. 11, 2008
It's done!

Here is a picture of my completed lacy tank top.  The entire thing came straight from my own imagination.  I designed it, I knit it, and I can't wait to wear it!  As you can see, I did try it on, but I'm waiting for a nice hot day, so I can wear it.  Maybe Saturday; it's supposed to be in the eighties here.  I am very happy with how this turned out.  Now I'm working on another cute top, called "Tempting 2", and I just cast on last night for a ribbed tank top for Julia.  The "Tempting 2" is a Knit-Along, which means that I am knitting it along with a whole bunch of other people on the internet.  The idea is that we encourage each other as we go.  But once I get the first step done, I have to wait until everyone else catches up; some of the others are just beginning theirs.  That way, we'll all begin the next step together.  So I need to have another project or two to work on while I wait.  The ribbed tank top for Julia shouldn't take long, so then I'll start one for Grace, and after that one for Theresa.  Lots of fun!

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• Mar. 5, 2008
I know, I know, it's been forever...

I have been crazy-busy lately.  You wanna see?  Really?  Okay...here you go...

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbsnLly2asWLF-A

It's not quite done yet; I'm hoping to finish it today, so I can cast-on for an internet "knit-along" as soon as my yarn arrives.  I designed the top in the pics myself, and I even tried to keep great notes as I went so I could publish the pattern.  Yeah...that ain't gonna happen.  Once I got to the bust shaping, I got tired of writing down every stitch and every increase and every decrease.  So I stopped taking notes.  Now there's no way I'll catch up.  Oh, well.  My beautiful lacy tank top will be a one-of-a-kind. 

The internet "KAL" is called "Tempting II" and it's a short-sleeved sweater.  It'll be very cute, and I'll be glad to just follow someone else's pattern for a while.  Then I'm going to make a skirt with pleats at the hem; very modern and sophisticated; I'm working on that design.  Then I'm going to design some more summer tops; I'll need a bunch of them; summer is comin'!  Okay, so I know it's only March, but the lacy top has taken me almost a month.  Tempting II shouldn't take as long, since it's not lace, but I really like lace.  I want to have at least one more lacy top before summer.  And summer comes early in Texas.  So wish me luck!

I'll try to be better at keeping up with my blog.

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• Feb. 14, 2008
I found it! I found it!

Quite by accident, I found the camera cord.  It was behind the couch, and I wasn't even looking for it at the moment when I spotted it.    So now I can post links to the pictures!  Hooray!

First, the pics of our trip to the beach.  In a few, the girls are wearing plastic eyepatches they got at the hotel cafe; the cafe's theme was pirates.  I'm not in any of the pictures, because I was the one holding the camera.  I got some neat ones of the girls on the beach.  And I took some pics during the rainforest river ride.

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbsnLly2asWLFng

And here's another link.  This one has the picture of the sweater I knitted.  And I forgot to mention the huge cotton sweater I found at the thrift shop for $3.  I frogged it, and the other pics at this link are the resulting yarn.  I'm going to make a lacy tank top for myself, and if I have enough leftover, I might make another one.  If there's not enough for two, I'll make something for one of the girls.  I went to the thrift shop again today, but I haven't taken pics, or frogged those sweaters yet.  I'll post about those ones later.

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbsnLly2asWLFvA

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• Feb. 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, the camera cord is still missing; I even called the hotel to see if I had inadvertently left it there.  I didn't.  I searched the van.  I double- and triple-searched the luggage.  I checked my purse, and the diaper bag three times each.  I have no idea where it could be.

So, anyway, we went to the beach.  Jeremy told me, "Come along, you and the girls can hang out and go places and do stuff while I'm in my meetings, and we'll have the evenings together, and I'll try to skip some of the meetings, too.  It'll be like a vacation!"  Yeah, right.  A vacation does not involve me taking care of the kids, alone, cooped up in a room smaller than our family room.  The only parts of the whole week that were "like a vacation" were: we picked up seashells on the beach, and I got a very expensive massage.  Other than that, it was not at all like a vacation.  The girls were stir-crazy in that little hotel room, and so was I.  When it was time for Julia's naps, we had nowhere we could go so the other girls wouldn't disturb her.  When it was time for the girls to go to bed, I had to as well, because we were all in one room.  Jeremy, on the other hand, went out during the evenings.  The first night, it was a fancy dinner.  The second night, it was cigars and brandy with an old friend.  The third night, it was another fancy dinner.  So we didn't evening really have any quality time together.  Though he did skip a couple meetings on one day, so we went to the Rainforest Cafe, and rode on their "River Adventure Ride".  That was fun.  Grace seemed scared, though.  It was dark, and there were lots of (fake) animals, and lots of noise.  So all in all, I would have been better off staying home.  On the other hand, I had lots of time for knitting.  I finished my first sweater just as we arrived home.  It's very pretty.  It's rib knit, with short sleeves, and exposed shoulders.  I'll post pics of it as soon as I find the darn camera cord.  Oh, and remember those five pounds I had lost last month?  I gained them back on our "vacation."   So now I'm back where I started.  Well, almost.  I have lost one pound since we came back home.

But, that's all in the past now.  I just figured I ought to write about it before the memories got completely fuzzy.  Who knows when that cord will show up?  Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day!  I'm going to clean the kitchen as a gift to my hubby; he's hard to buy for.  He did get me and the girls some chocolates, and a lotion set.  I got a cute little stuffed animal for each of the girls, and the girls and I got cards for Jeremy.  Theresa has a big pile of presents to give all of us, but I'm making her wait until Daddy gets home from work.

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• Feb. 9, 2008
I can't find my camera cord.

We went to the beach this week, and I fully intended to download the photos and blog about the trip.  But instead, I'm searching for my camera cord.  I know it's here somewhere, because it was with the battery charger and phone charger, and I have both of those.  I just can't find it.  And I need to.  I finished knitting my first sweater, and I need to download those pics too.  And I want to put the baby swing on ebay, so I need that photo as well.  Grrrrr!  It's so frustrating when so many things depend on one thing that just isn't happening!  And you really need to see the pictures to get the full effect of the stories...so you'll just have to wait until I find the cord, before you can hear the stories.  Don't worry, you'll be the first to know.  Hopefully I'll find it tonight.

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• Feb. 1, 2008
So how did everyone do on their goals/resolutions so far?

My goal for January was to lose 10 pounds.  Well...I lost 5, so I didn't fail miserably.  But I didn't really succeed.  So this month, the goal is the same: lose 10 pounds.  I did exercise this morning; I watched a Pilates video, and did about half of the exercise on it.   But that's okay; I'm still pretty out-of-shape, so I'm just glad I did some exercise.  I plan on doing some more exercise this afternoon, but not with a video.

I think part of the problem is my new hobby.  I've been spending so much time knitting, I've developed a callus on my right pointer-finger, and I think I'm getting tendonitis in my left hand.  And, of course, I have been doing a lot of sitting while I'm knitting.  Not so much exercise.  So I need to force myself to put down the knitting for a few minutes at a time, and get a lot more exercise.

My other goal was to keep up with the dishes...well, I only have a small pile waiting to be washed, and the dishwasher is full of clean stuff.  So I didn't do too bad on that one, but I think it needs more work.

So...how did everyone else do? 

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• Jan. 31, 2008
Theresa's latest journal entry.

I think I wrote recently about the change I've made in the writing I require Theresa to do.  Instead of writing 5 random sentences on one topic, she now has to write 5 descriptive sentences about one object.  We're working on making her writing a little more focused.  Yesterday she chose her "treasure box" which was actually a really pretty stationery box I received as a gift once upon a time.  When the stationery was used up, I gave her the box.  So here's what she wrote about it.

I have a treasure box with flowers on it.  In it is a little pink Bible.  There is also a tiny box and lots of paint colors.  There are cards and bookmarks.  There is even a paper doll.

And she spelled everything correctly, too!

Earlier this week, she finally finished reading Little House on the Prairie.  So that means that one day soon, we are going to Ruckus Room, which is a local gymnasium-type place, I think.  We've never been there, even though it's about 2 minutes from our house.  There's a sign on the front of the building that says "Open Daily For Jump".  So I think we'll be going tomorrow.

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• Jan. 29, 2008
Check out what I did!

Last week, Grace got into Theresa's bright pink lotion and poured it liberally over the bathroom carpet.  Whoever thought of putting carpet, especially light-colored carpet in bathrooms obviously never had young children.  I spent about half an hour scrubbing the carpet, to get most of the lotion off.  It was then that I decided I was going to rip out the carpet ASAP.  But I had to wait until I had something to put in its place.  Grace is finally getting the hang of using the potty, and will soon stop wearing pullups, so I knew it would be necessary to get this project done quickly.  So yesterday, we went to Home Depot, and looked at peel-and-stick tiles.  They had some pretty high-quality peel-and-stick tiles.  Theresa and I debated which tiles would look the best, which ones would go nicely with the pink walls, but still be neutral enough to go with whatever color we pick for the walls when we get tired of pink (as if a house full of girls will ever get tired of pink!)

I started the project as soon as Julia and Grace were taking their naps.  I ripped out the old carpet and tackstrips.  I readhered the edge of the existing linoleum, rather than pulling it all out.  I placed all the full-size tiles.  Then naptime was over, so I waited to trim and place the edge tiles until after dinner.  I ran out of caulk, so I need to buy some to seal around all the edges, but at least all the tiles are in.  Check out the pics I put on Shutterfly.  http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbsnLly2asWLFcA  I think it turned out pretty well.

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• Jan. 23, 2008
Want to see the my first knitted sock?

It's nothing fancy, just a basic ankle-length sock, knitted completely in stockinette stitch.  I used a short-row heel, because I don't like the look of the heel-flap-and-gusset heel.  I used just basic acrylic yarn and five size 8 double-pointed needles(the ones I made myself).  It's a little bit short for my foot, and I don't like to wear anklet socks anyway, but that's okay.  I wasn't making this sock to wear, just to learn how to do each technique, and to figure out my gauge.  Besides, I don't have enough green yarn to make a matching sock anyway.  I made several mistakes, and had to pull out stitches and redo them, and I noticed one mistake too late to fix it.  I don't know if you can see it in the picture, but right before I started the short-row decreases for the heel, I messed up and pulled out a whole row of stitches, but when I was putting the stitches back on the needles, I twisted them by mistake.  The whole row is twisted.  I won't do that again.  Now I can count the rows and adjust my design so I can make actual socks to wear.  I didn't use a pattern.  I researched sock knitting, and looked through dozens of sock patterns.  I took a bit from this pattern and a bit from that one, and here's the result.

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• Jan. 21, 2008
I have a very good reason why I haven't posted in a while...

I've been knitting!  And not with a knifty knitter, either.  I've been knitting with real knitting needles!  I haven't really made anything, yet; just practice swatches, and one scrubby dishcloth.  And I made some knitting needles.  Did you know it is very easy to make knitting needles?  I didn't know.  I saw it on some knitting site, and it really was as easy as it looked.  First, you get dowels.  I used 3/16in diameter dowels, 36 inches long.  I cut them into 12 inch long pieces.  I had two dowels, so that gave me six pieces.  Then I sharpened them with a pencil sharpener.  Then I sanded them smooth, and they were done.  3/16in dowels make size 8 knitting needles.  And, instead of vacuuming my carpet where I sanded them, I immediately started knitting with them.  Yep, I'm addicted to knitting.  I need to vacuum that carpet today.  That, or rip it out.  It's getting pretty nasty.  I would love to rip it out, but new flooring is just not in the budget right now.  So that is my plan for today: vacuum the family room carpet.  And scrub toilets.  And do some laundry.  And knit.  Knitting is fun.  Oh, and educate my children.  Yeah, can't forget that one.  Actually, Theresa is working on her math right now.  And Grace is watching Veggie Tales.  We'll do her schoolwork later.  We have to give Theresa plenty of time to focus on her math first.  And Julia is sleeping.  So I'm off to work on laundry.  And vacuum.   And while I do that, you can take a look at these pics of my handiwork.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbsnLly2asWLFNA

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• Jan. 15, 2008
136!

That's a total of four pounds!  And my bust has shrunk an inch, as has my waist.  The rest of the measurements are still the same.

I cheated yesterday and had wine with dinner.  And I didn't exercise.  I haven't exercised yet today, either.  And I had soda with my lunch.  It's pretty bad when you run out of willpower after just half a month.  So tomorrow is going to be better.  I'll exercise, and stick with water.  I definitely don't drink enough water.  I'll bet those four pounds were all water anyway.

So I'm celebrating the four pounds, but wishing I were being more consistent.  If I were, I might have lost more.

So how's everyone else doing with their goals and/or resolutions?

(Don't even ask about my kitchen...)

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• Jan. 11, 2008
139.

I stepped on the scale this morning, and it said 139, for the second day in a row.  I think it's starting to work.    This might take a while.  I think I need to exercise more.  I know I said I was going to exercise morning and night, but it's hard to keep up with that when you feel like something the cat dragged in.  I'm feeling better, though.  I did go for a walk yesterday, and then exercised at night, while I watched the Republican Debate. 

I think my favorite candidate did well in the debate, though not as well as some of the others.  As least he wasn't the clear loser.  I have friends who really like Ron Paul...I mean they really really like him, and are occasionally obnoxious about it.  But that's okay, they are still my friends.  Everybody gets a little obnoxious in an election year.  I'm trying not to be, at least until the primaries are over.  But I must say, I really hope Huckabee wins the nomination.  He is a strong Christian; yes, that matters.  He is very staunchly pro-life, which half of the Republican candidates are not.  To me, that is the most important issue.  I can not and will not ever vote for a candidate who is not pro-life.  So if Giuliani or McCain or Romney wins the nomination, I won't be able to vote in the general election.  In this issue, there is no "lesser of two evils".  If a person doesn't believe that every person has a basic right to be born, regardless of how they were conceived, they will not get my vote.  Okay, I better stop, before I get obnoxious.  And if any of my readers disagree with me on this point, write about it on your own blog.  Commenting here will not change my mind.  Thanks.

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• Jan. 9, 2008
So much for those three pounds.

As I expected, I gained back those three pounds.  I think it's just bloating, though.  "Aunt Flow" will do that to you.    And yesterday, I was feeling especially stressed and craving chocolate, so that probably didn't help either.  But, mmmmmm, those Swiss chocolates are good!  Jeremy brought me back some fancy Swiss and Scottish chocolate from his trip last month.

I was watching a Discovery Health channel special last night, called the National Body Challenge, and it was very interesting.  I decided to measure myself, since I'm still close to the beginning of my own personal challenge.  And I took notes during the show; there were a lot of great tips for losing weight.  I have decided to exercise in the morning and evening, with a walk in the afternoon as well.  I had just been exercising in the evening.  And I'm getting the kids involved.  I'm not really worried about their weights, but I know it's easier to begin exercising when you're young and healthy, than it is to start when you are older and overweight.  So, anyway, when I measured myself, I saw that the little bit of exercise I've been doing has done some good; my thighs have lost an inch since a month ago.   None of my other measurements have changed, though, which is why I'm stepping up the exercise.  I'm also going to use my exercise videos on days when we don't go for walks outside.

I'm also going to be more strict with myself regarding what I eat.  I'm going to eat lower fat, higher fiber foods, especially fresh fruit and veggies.  I'm going to cut out alcohol(I don't drink too much, but I do drink some) and soda(I drink way way way too much soda) altogether for a while.  I'm going to drink only water, herbal tea, and juice.  I need to buy some Ginseng tea, for in the mornings, and I'll use Chamomile in the evenings.  And that reminds me, I need to sterilize the straw in my big water cup; I used it alot when I had bronchitis, and I don't want to get that again.

Tonight's dinner is meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  So I'll have to go easy on the meatloaf.  I'll cook it with some ground flax in it, to help absorb the fat and cholesterol.  And I'll cook some asparagus to go with it; I think I have some in the freezer.  I have a lot of ground beef, so I'll also make up some meatballs with flax, and freeze them. Yummy!

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