SKoW Update

Unfortunately I have not been able to complete the top, let alone my version of this amazing quilt, as our planned timeline has laid out.  I am so sorry for letting the ladies all down, and I am truly sorry that this will be a contributing factor if Chooky decides not to begin another Sew-A-Long - I have enjoyed seeing the progress of each participant in this SAL, and will miss watching them grow if this is the case.  I DO however pledge that I will continue with this quilt - and my goal, however extreme, is to have it done by the end of November.  I am determined to commit to working on this for at least a couple of hours each evening, in order to achieve this goal.

So, I believe that an update on where I'm at is in order.

I spent an evening printing out copies of all of the remaining pages in triplicate, saving one as a frame-of-reference for the stitchery elements (as I have no lightbox as yet, I am relying on sunlight, windows & masking tape to line up everything 'just so') ...

the other copies were used to cut up the different appliqué elements, and then laminated.

I have left them uncut at the moment, ready to separate as needed.  I then keep all the pieces for each block separated in their own ziplock baggies.

I have only been able to complete three new blocks since I last updated.  

I am using the needle-turn appliqué method ... which has contributed to making this process long.

My daisy [Jan] ...

My chocolates - yum [Jan]!  

I chose to use a silver sparkly metallic thread for the stitching on four of these chocs, just to make them look even more extra yummy!!!

My ice-cream [Feb].

My hot chocolate block is prepped and ready for it's needle turn and stitchery - tonight's task!!

And all my finished blocks together ... I still have one block left of December (since I decided to change the cupcakes to pavlova ... I have finally found a pic for this, and will also be prepping this tonight, along with all the July & Aug blocks).

I even have my pellon all cut and ready to size for all my remaining 17 blocks.  And some squares for the strips - though only creams have been cut as yet.  Although I did start with one range of fabrics, I have started adding others ... and with my perfectionist streak on overdrive, I want need to make sure I include some of each fabric in the coloured blocks.  As a result, I am leaving this until after I have finished the blocks - or at least until I have finished the first two rows.

So, that's where I'm at.  I am so upset with myself to have fallen so far behind - but yes, I will get there!!  My next uni course begins in December, and I have decided that I want this quilt finished before I start my studies!!

Weekly Goals, Oct 22 - 28

Okay, so last week I didn't put my goals down, but I DID...

• Take DD to the water park & kindygym
• Work out 5 days, working on Level 3 of Jillian's 30 Day Shred
• Clean & clear out 3 nights underneath my desk in the bedroom 
• Cooked dinner 3 nights
• Finished the 12in mini to the binding stage ... I decided at the last minute to block the mini - something I have *never* before done!!
• Cut my hair ... dramatically!

So, this week I have my parents coming home after a 3&1/2 week trip around the centre & eastern parts of Australia, so I have a HUGE list quite a bit of cleaning to do to make sure this place looks alright before they get home on Wednesday (this place gets dusty as soon as someone drives up or down the driveway!! ... plus, the grass has just shot up while they're away, so I need to work out how to use the lawnmower, lol, and if I have time, the ride on lawnmower!!).  I also have most ALL of the SKoW blocks to do, needle turn appliqué & stitching ... and somehow be a mum in amongst all of that!!

My goals for the week ahead ...

Health

1. Work out 4 days this week; Level 3 of Jillian's 30 Day Shred, followed by Level 1 of her 6 Week Six-Pack workout dvd.

2. Drink 2 litres of water each day.

Spiritual

3. Spend some time each day with God.

4. Listen to at least the first 10 hours of Chuck Missler's Learn the Bible in 24 Hours series.

Home-making

5. Cook: Chicken Stroganoff (Monday); Lasagne (Tuesday); and a Roast Turkey & veges dinner with a cake for my sister's birthday dinner on Thursday.

6. Work through my HUGE cleaning list by Wednesday afternoon.

Craft

7.  Finish all the SKoW blocks.

8.  Make two QBSA blocks - for my Sept & October partners.

Mothering

9. Take DD to the water park & kindygym.

10. Spend time reading to / with DD each day.

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Living & Active Challenge Wrap-up

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I am both glad and frustrated that this challenge has come to an end now.  It has been the only challenge I have successfully stuck-out in the last year and I am hoping that this is the turning point that I have needed for a long while!  I have worked out at least 4, if not 5, days each week over the last 5 weeks.  I have gotten stronger, lost inches around those 2 inches below my bustline - and probably other areas, but not as significantly - and I am *finally* starting to lose some of my weight.

Week Five's results :

Exercise - This week we started doing level three of Jillian's 30 Day Shred.  Oh boy - am I *dying* or what?!!  On Thursday I was even a little sick when doing the super mans!!! 

We worked out on Monday (level 2 ... wanted to get in the full "10 days").  

Tuesday I ended up going around to my workout partner's place to help her scrub her repurposed kitchen ready for the builders to see to determine measurements/fitting for their new house.  I was there two hours, in a squat/standing-bent-over-with-my-bottom-in-the-air-so-as-not-to-touch-the-filthy-verandah :) position the entire time, scrubbing these filthy drawers & cupboard doors (they weren't cleaned by the previous owners, and then stored in a storage unit for 11 months... we had to use jif!!), and refilling the bucket with fresh water as needed ... it may not have been a Jillian workout, but I sure was sore, stiff and tired by the time I had to head home!!!

Wednesday through Friday we *killed* ourselves doing level three.  Not fun - though there are a few exercises that I will be getting heavier (I'm thinking 2.5-3kg) hand weights for when I get paid later in the week.  By the end of this particular workout though, my thighs & calves, shoulder muscles and abs are all SCREAMING!!  

We are going to continue through this particular workout this week, possibly adding either a cardio or abs based workout (also by Jillian) to the mix by the end of the week.  Next week we  plan to continue doing two workouts (with a drink break in-between) and then follow this up with a week of rest ... Give our bodies time to rest, recuperate and repair before throwing ourselves into the Jillian's Extreme Shed and Shred dvd.  FUN!!  I am hoping to have gotten down to the low 70s, if not into the 60s by Christmas (huge feat, considering I am still currently around the 83kg mark, lol!)


Memory Verse -  A big and important one ...

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"                   ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23

I have really enjoyed adding this verse to my repertoire of known verses to call upon in times of need!  I can still remember the earlier verses in this challenge too, which is great!  I will certainly be challenging myself to incorporate this 'scriptural verse' memorisation to my daily and weekly plans!  It is *so* important to have Our Lord's words available to us to call upon in times of desperation and temptation - both of which, along with depression, I struggle with on a daily, if not hourly, basis!!

Diet & Weight Loss Goals - I decided to forgoe the grand plans, and just aim for working on my water intake to begin with ... Over the next few week I'll *up* my vegetable soup and protein intake (rather than carbs & stuff I really shouldn't be consuming if I'm wanting to lose weight!!).  So my goal this week was to drink at least 4 cups of water each day ... bearing in mind that the cups I usually drink out of hold approx. 450mls of water - so 4 cups brings me close to 2L.  I was able to achieve this ... and this is another thing I am hoping to continue to work on.  

Thankyou so much to Clare for hosting this challenge ... and to those who've been either participating, or following along with my progress.  It truly has helped me stick with it!!

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** I have a HUGE list of sewing projects to complete (and some of, send) over the next couple of weeks that are left this month.  I wonder how it is possible that it is October already - and even then, how it has become the 15th so darn quickly!!!  I pray that I will be able to be diligent with my time, and persevere through the to do list to the best of my (with God's strength) abilities.

*Reeally* late L&A update [wk5] & Goals

Living & Active

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This last week I've been challenged health-wise once again - this time with a on-and-off migraine, sinus congestion & sore throat, all of which culminated with me losing my voice over the weekend (and not really getting it back until yesterday, though its still a little off) ... BUT ... with the help of Nurofen plus, and a nearby bucket (Thurs & Fri, lol!) I was able to workout 4 days last week!  I also did more stuff with my daughter this last week too, which was great!!  I have now successfully completed the fourth week of this challenge, including my fourth week of doing four or more days of exercise.

Week Four's results :

Exercise - Last week we worked out a total of four nights - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.  This was the second week of level two.  By the end of the week I was super pooped (though that *could* have been due to the fact that I wasn't well!!) but I was able to do more of the workout, and keep going longer, with heavier weights.  I didn't add in any extra workouts as it was super hot during the day,  and we ended up working out during the evenings from Tuesday.

Wednesday was out as my migraine was horrible (day one) .. and so instead we went through and sorted my fabric stash, pulling out some items I can get rid of as I really can't see myself using them.  We also worked out a plan for the next month, workout-wise ... boy are we going to *die*!!!

Memory Verse - A beautiful verse - and definitely something good to always remember!!

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" ~ Proverbs 4:23

Diet & Weight Loss Goals - No weight lost.  Eating habits still shocking.  Blah.

Week Five's plans :

Exercise - This week we have started doing level three of Jillian's 30 Day Shred.  Oh boy - am I *dying* or what?!!  Today I was even a little sick when doing the super mans!!! We worked out on Monday (level 2 ... wanted to get in the full "10 days"), Wednesday & tonight (level 3 both nights) and will do level 3 again tomorrow night to get in the four days this week.  Depending on how I am feeling on the weekend (and how much work around the house & sewing I actually achieve tomorrow!), I *may* also do a workout on Saturday.  

Tuesday I ended up going around to BFF's place to help her scrub her repurposed kitchen ready for the builders to see to determine measurements/fitting for their new house.  I was there two hours, in a squat/standing-bent-over-with-my-bottom-in-the-air-so-as-not-to-touch-the-filthy-verandah :) position the entire time, scrubbing these filthy drawers & cupboard doors (they weren't cleaned by the previous owners, and then stored in a storage unit for 11 months... we had to use jif!!), and refilling the bucket with fresh water as needed ... it may not have been a Jillian workout, but I sure was sore, stiff and tired by the time I had to head home!!!

*Not* looking forward to the following week though, as we our third workout buddy is joining back in after giving her knee a rest, and so we will be doing level 3 at my place, then heading out to her's to do level 1 *cue utter exhaustion*!! lol!

Memory Verse -  A big one ...

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"                   ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Diet & Weight Loss Goals - I have decided to forgoe the grand plans, and just aim for working on my water intake to begin with ... next week I'll *up* my vegetable soup and protein intake (rather than carbs & stuff I really shouldn't be consuming if I'm wanting to lose weight!!).  So my goal this week is to drink at least 4 cups of water each day ... bearing in mind that the cups I usually drink out of hold approx. 450mls of water - so 4 cups brings me close to 2L.  

This week's Goals

I did shockingly when it comes to achieving my goals last week.  Much of it was due to the fact that I'd left much of it to the latter part of the week ... and then I fell ill and didn't feel like doing much of anything.  Unfortunately when I get sick, I also usually get *really* lethargic and have no energy! 

I am linking up with Crystal's weekly goal setting post again.

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Last week's goals ...

Health

1. Work out 5 days this week, doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred, Level 2.  Nope.  Only 4 days (as explained above)

2. Cook dinner 4 nights ... most meals should cover two evenings as we will only have two adults & one child eating here this week.  As we had so many leftovers (and I tend to cook pretty sizeable meals, lol), and DD & I went out on Saturday night,  I only had to cook twice this last week.

Spiritual

3. Spend time in God's Word every day.  Most days, not everyday.

4. Memorise memory verse (above); Keep working on remembering the memory verses from earlier weeks.  Done.  Beautiful verse!!

Personal

5. Write and post three blog posts.  Nope.  Just the one I'm afraid.

6. Paint my toe nails, and follow my skincare regime everyday (I've been getting slack!).  Bright fire-engine red ... but not a half hour later I wanted to remove it as one of the big toes was smudged, and another was slightly 'chipped' ... they're still on, but every time I look down at my feet I see where they're not *perfect* - probably why I usually go au-natural when it comes to my nails, lol!!

7. Finish 8 blocks for the "Some Kind of Wonderful" SAL quilt, have 4 more at least ready for needle turn appliqué to begin.  Unfortunately none as yet.

8. Finish and send "Welcome" mini and 3 QBSA blocks to appropriate partners [all late].  Nope, not yet ... but I only have a little stitching + sandwiching/quilting/binding left on the mini to go ... and the fabrics ready for the blocks.  I hope to have all these ready for Monday's mail.

Homemaking

9. Stay on top of the laundry, 'weekly' house cleaning & daily garden watering. Surprisingly, yes!

10. Finish going through drawers containing cross-stitch magazines & DD's birth/day cards - put cards into scrapbook. Not a chance!!

Mothering / Child

11. Take DD to a movie this week ... her first EVER!!!  We actually went twice - Monday it was Madagascar 3 with a cousin & her little boy; Tuesday we saw Tinkerbell 4 with my sister & BFF (w/ children).  I also took her to play mini golf for the first time on Saturday night as we'd been invited to a friends' 30th birthday party at a mini golf/golfing/archery centre.  She *loved*it!! ... Though she kept calling it a "goal" when she got the ball in the hole, lol!  SOO fun to watch!! ... Oh, and she even got a hole in one!!!  As we were leaving she told me "that was a great day Mummy!"

12.  Get DD in bed by 7:30pm most nights, 8pm at the latest (except Monday night as she will be accompanying me to my Bible Study as my usual babysitters are on holidays).  Nope.  We did achieve it twice though!

This week's goals ...

Health

1. Work out 5 days this week, starting @ Level 2 doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred, ending the week with Level 3.

2. Drink four glasses, ice-cold water, every day.

Spiritual

3. Memorise memory verse (above); Keep working on remembering the memory verses from earlier weeks.

Personal

4. Write and post three blog posts.

5. Finish and send "Welcome" mini.

6. Finish and send four QBSA blocks.

7. Finish 10 SKoW blocks.

8. Make a haircut appointment for next week.

Homemaking

9. Go through the fridge - clean out & re-organise.  

10. Declutter & organise 3 hot-areas in my room.

Mothering / Child

11. Teach DD how to play "Guess Who" Junior.

12. Take DD to kindygym Saturday morning.

What are your plans for this week? ... Here's hoping we both have a great week!!!

L & A Update [wk4] & This Week's Goals

Living & Active

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Despite some personal struggles, whilst trying to give emotional support to my best friend, I am really appreciative that God placed this challenge in my path at this time.  I have now successfully completed the third week of this challenge, including my third week of doing four or more days of exercise - and although I am still struggling to go to bed at a decent hour, I am feeling more alert and aware, I am walking taller, standing straighter, and enjoying catching up daily with one of my closest girlfriends.

Week Three's results :

Exercise - Although I only worked out four days this week, I actually did five workouts ... three of which were in the space of a 25hr period (not recommended!!!).  Monday we didn't work out as the afternoon workout was shifted to the evening due to one of the ladies' (G1) prior commitments clashing with our usual time, and then the later workout was cancelled due to the other ladies' (G2) husband coming home after going out fishing and needing to go to the ER ... turned out he had an "acutely sprained ankle" - not good!!  Tuesday we worked out all together, going up to level two of Jillian's 30 Day Shred as we'd already completed two weeks' of level one.  Wednesday, G2's husband called up just as we were to start asking to be picked up from work, so I did a workout @ Level 1 with G1 (her knee was sore and she couldn't face Level 2) ... later getting G2 to come over to my place later that evening to do our Level 2 workout (so she didn't pike out for a second day in the week...).  Thursday morning G1 requested a few weeks break from the workouts as her knee was not only sore but had swollen up (not good!!), so Thursday and Friday lunchtimes (well, 1:30pm) I did Level 2 with G2 ... So five workouts over four days.

Memory Verse - Not so quickly memorised this week ... but done.  Good one to remember really!!

"For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world."           ~1 John 2:16

Diet & Weight Loss Goals - Roughly a kilo lost this week, but still up at 83kgs so I didn't hit my target of 82.  I made really healthy meals this week for dinner, though my daytime diet still wasn't crash hot ... I only consumed one block of Cadbury's caramello chocolate this week though!!! 

Week Four's plans :

Exercise - I plan to work out five days this week, but in the morning this week as the children are on their school holidays for the next two weeks, so they'll come around here while G2 (their mum ... she has six, ranging from 2yrs to 13yrs) and I work out.  The 13yr old will be in charge, though we will probably send them out the back ... BIG property here, so as long as they stay in the grassed area (just outside the windows of where we will be working out) they'll be alright - no where near the road! ... I am also considering throwing in some extra cardio workouts, maybe in the evenings - whether these be workout dvds (I have quite the range, lol) or just a fast walk on the treadmill while I watch a movie, will be decided on the day, though I am thinking either 2 or 3 days of this to start.

Memory Verse -  

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" ~ Proverbs 4:23

Diet & Weight Loss Goals - My parents have gone on a four week holiday to spend time with Mum's parents, and a bit of a break from their jobs, so I won't have the temptations of chips, chocolate & cookies surrounding me all hours like I normally do (Mum is the teacher who stress about her students - trannies - and gets to work at 7:30am, not leaving until about 6:30pm ... and then often bringing extra marking etc home with them!; Dad runs a non-profit Vocational Educational and Training business through the same school, which gives the students real-life knowledge and skills in the wall-frame fabrication, welding and more skill areas, and turns over quite a few million dollars of business each year ... he is also co-ordinating training courses & projects in several remote communities throughout the Territory).  I am hoping to eat "clean"-er meals, reduce my carb & sugar intake, and to hopefully get down to approx 81kgs (about 2kg weight loss since Monday).  I will also endeavour to drink more water and less Pepsi Max (which yes, has no calories, but loads of chemicals & preservatives ... I am currently consuming at least 2L a day).

This week's Goals

I didn't do as well as I'd hoped in achieving my goals this past week, but I did achieve more than I have in weeks past, so *yay*!  Just crossing off one or two things is actually a pretty big thing for me, so I am happy with my results ... and even more determined to cross more off next week!  So I will be am linking up with Crystal's weekly goal setting post again.

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Last week's goals ...

Health

1. Work out 5 days this week, doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred, Level 2.  {While I did do 5 workouts this week, they were over 4 days, and one of the workouts was a repeat of Level 1.}

2. Cook dinner 5 nights, 3 from scratch  Family Meat Pie w/ veges; Pumpkin & Red Lentil soup w/ Cheesy Curry Scones; Massaman Chicken Curry w/ rice; Pork Loin Chops w/ veges; Chicken & Vegetable Pasta Bake; Beef Stir-fry.

Spiritual

3. Spend time in God's Word every day.  Unfortunately not everyday, but most days - yes.

4. Memorise memory verse (above); Keep working on remembering the memory verses from earlier weeks.

Personal

5. Write and post three blog posts.  Yes, though I doubled up on two posts ... same post, just on two different blogs :)

6. Paint my toe nails and have a de-toxing bath.  I kept putting off the painting of the toes ... too paranoid that the polish would get smudged or knocked, lol!

7. Finish 3 blocks for the "Some Kind of Wonderful" SAL quilt, have 4 more at least ready for needle turn appliqué to begin.  NO.  I finished one, and completed the needle turn appliqué on one more.

8. Finish and send "Welcome" mini and 3 QBSA blocks to appropriate partners [all late].  Unfortunately I didn't make the time for these either ... though I have been working furiously the last couple of days to get the mini done - I am pushing myself to get this in the post by Wednesday at the latest.

Homemaking

9. Declutter and clean desks in lounge room (my 'office' space *technically*). 

10. Finish going through drawers containing cross-stitch magazines & DD's birth/day cards - put cards into scrapbook.  Nope - not even touched.

This week's goals ...

Health

1. Work out 5 days this week, doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred, Level 2.

2. Cook dinner 4 nights ... most meals should cover two evenings as we will only have two adults & one child eating here this week.

Spiritual

3. Spend time in God's Word every day.

4. Memorise memory verse (above); Keep working on remembering the memory verses from earlier weeks.

Personal

5. Write and post three blog posts.

6. Paint my toe nails, and follow my skincare regime everyday (I've been getting slack!).

7. Finish 8 blocks for the "Some Kind of Wonderful" SAL quilt, have 4 more at least ready for needle turn appliqué to begin.

8. Finish and send "Welcome" mini and 3 QBSA blocks to appropriate partners [all late].

Homemaking

9. Stay on top of the laundry, 'weekly' house cleaning & daily garden watering.

10. Finish going through drawers containing cross-stitch magazines & DD's birth/day cards - put cards into scrapbook.

Mothering / Child

11. Take DD to a movie this week ... her first EVER!!!

12.  Get DD in bed by 7:30pm most nights, 8pm at the latest (except Monday night as she will be accompanying me to my Bible Study as my usual babysitters are on holidays).

That's enough to keep me occupied this week.

What are your plans for this week? ... Here's hoping we both have a great week!!!