Monday 31 March 2008
Weigh in No.2
It is days like today that really make me wonder why the hell I bother putting my body through the pain of exercise. My back and legs are extremely stiff and both my ankles are sore. The result of all this exercise is weight gain as well as adding 4cm to my body in areas that just don't need anymore. Albeit I have toned in other areas with a loss of 6cm. For some reason though this is not boosting my spirits. I want to lose weight not gain it. Welcome to my world. Two hard months of exercise and nothing in the weight loss department to show for it. Well that is my bitch for the day.
Saturday 29 March 2008
Earth Hour Challenge - I dare you!
Last year Sydney turned off it's lights for an hour. This year Earth Hour has gone global. I challenge you all to do it. Here is a You Tube link to the promo video and here is a link to the web site
You can also register for an official count as well.
I'm going to do it. I would like to hear from those of you who take up the challenge and do it as well.
You can also register for an official count as well.
I'm going to do it. I would like to hear from those of you who take up the challenge and do it as well.
Wednesday 26 March 2008
Oh so true!
Unless of course it means a sleep in!I only did Jacobs Ladder 2x today. Last night I had circuit training and I went all out. My legs were so stiff I didn't think I would make it up once. On my last climb I was 99% sure I would have to sit for 10 minutes before continuing up just when God sent me an angel in disguise of a sweaty stranger running down the stairs giving me a big grin and 2 thumbs up. I know it was for me because there was no one behind me.
Monday 24 March 2008
Monthly Challenge 3
It is finally completed and true to it's name it was most definitley a challenge. This time the challenge was a tin and a chipboard template of an owl. There is only so much one can do to a tin (especially whe the handle and clasp can not be removed), therefore I chose to decorate something to put in the tin. This was where the challenge came. Tins to me are for storage and this tin is an odd shape as well so what on earth would I put in it.
I thought of going all out and write a children's story about an owl at Easter time and that I would create the book with pictures and finger puppets. Well I wrote the story but that is as far as it went. I realised that it would be too time consuming to draw the characters so it is being saved for another day. In the end I went with what an owl represents - wisdom. All I needed to do was find Little statements of words of wisdom and create a little flip book. I collected various quotes from the Internet. I then created the booklet itself by cutting a larger shape of the owl template.
I thought of going all out and write a children's story about an owl at Easter time and that I would create the book with pictures and finger puppets. Well I wrote the story but that is as far as it went. I realised that it would be too time consuming to draw the characters so it is being saved for another day. In the end I went with what an owl represents - wisdom. All I needed to do was find Little statements of words of wisdom and create a little flip book. I collected various quotes from the Internet. I then created the booklet itself by cutting a larger shape of the owl template.
The prize money has now dropped from $50 t0 $25 which I think is a little bit rude. Most other scrapbook stores have a challenge in a $5 kit and the prize is around $25. This store however gives a list of what you must use. Considering the tin and template cost $17 I think they should of waited until next month to lower the prize money.
Thursday 20 March 2008
Wednesday 19 March 2008
3x Jacobs Ladder
Once again I was left on my own at Jacob's Ladder. So much for the group thing!!! Anyway I didn't have to run off to Bible Study Group tonight so I thought I would take my time and try for 3 times up and down. I didn't go last week because I was sick so I was not sure how I would go today as I still have a dry cough.
The mind games that go on while you are climbing the stairs is unbelievable. Every muscle ached and my lungs felt like they wanted to jump out of my body and run away. The first time I went up (I go down first) I kept thinking I am too weak to do this a second time. I will go home and work out on my own equipment instead. I would then think back at myself and say "yeah right, you'll just sit on the couch while watching the biggest loser! By the time I got to the top I did have my second wind so I went down and up again.
The second time I made it to the top I realised that I had complete a down and up in an average of 10 minutes each. I was rather proud of that. I think I knocked off another 5 - 10 minutes of my time. I sat down on the ground to stretch out my legs. It is the muscles in my lower back that complain the most. I kept looking down at the stairs wanting to do it 3x. I wasn't sure if my back could handle it or if my legs would let me go down.
I kept thinking of a comment my friend Betty said when I had a stranger give me inspiration to keep going the last time I was on the ladder. I had said how God had answered an unasked prayer for inspiration and she made the comment on how proud that God is of what I am doing. So as I sat at the top and stretched I looked down at the people running up and down. I asked God to give me some sort of sign to let me know that I would make it back up if I went down.
I kept thinking yes, no. yes, no and then finally stopped thinking and started listening. I had my headphones on and the song Unwritten by Natasha Benningfield. Below are the words to the song that I actually listened to and took it as a sign that I had to go a third time. I have put what I was thinking in brackets and the song words in italics.
I am unwritten,
can't read my mind,
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning,
the pen's in my hand,
ending unplanned
(My diet is still beginning and is a start of a new me that is yet to be written)
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window (get rid of the baggage)
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find (the energy and drive I didn't realise I had)
Reaching for something in the distance (my goal to take control of myself and not let other things control me and the desire to reach that goal)
So close you can almost taste it (right here right now I have the option to go down the stairs again and come up. Today may be my only chance to see if I can do it).
Release your inhibitions (I am going for it - I can do it)
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in (only I have the power to change my weight and my health. I have to take the responsibility - no one else can).
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten (I CAN DO IT)
The mind games that go on while you are climbing the stairs is unbelievable. Every muscle ached and my lungs felt like they wanted to jump out of my body and run away. The first time I went up (I go down first) I kept thinking I am too weak to do this a second time. I will go home and work out on my own equipment instead. I would then think back at myself and say "yeah right, you'll just sit on the couch while watching the biggest loser! By the time I got to the top I did have my second wind so I went down and up again.
The second time I made it to the top I realised that I had complete a down and up in an average of 10 minutes each. I was rather proud of that. I think I knocked off another 5 - 10 minutes of my time. I sat down on the ground to stretch out my legs. It is the muscles in my lower back that complain the most. I kept looking down at the stairs wanting to do it 3x. I wasn't sure if my back could handle it or if my legs would let me go down.
I kept thinking of a comment my friend Betty said when I had a stranger give me inspiration to keep going the last time I was on the ladder. I had said how God had answered an unasked prayer for inspiration and she made the comment on how proud that God is of what I am doing. So as I sat at the top and stretched I looked down at the people running up and down. I asked God to give me some sort of sign to let me know that I would make it back up if I went down.
I kept thinking yes, no. yes, no and then finally stopped thinking and started listening. I had my headphones on and the song Unwritten by Natasha Benningfield. Below are the words to the song that I actually listened to and took it as a sign that I had to go a third time. I have put what I was thinking in brackets and the song words in italics.
I am unwritten,
can't read my mind,
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning,
the pen's in my hand,
ending unplanned
(My diet is still beginning and is a start of a new me that is yet to be written)
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window (get rid of the baggage)
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find (the energy and drive I didn't realise I had)
Reaching for something in the distance (my goal to take control of myself and not let other things control me and the desire to reach that goal)
So close you can almost taste it (right here right now I have the option to go down the stairs again and come up. Today may be my only chance to see if I can do it).
Release your inhibitions (I am going for it - I can do it)
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in (only I have the power to change my weight and my health. I have to take the responsibility - no one else can).
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten (I CAN DO IT)
Monday 17 March 2008
Studio Clean Up
The studio is almost done. I have swept the floor, moved things around, rearranged and repacked. I am hoping to have it all nice and tidy by Friday because A is coming over for some scrappin' time. We were going to do some exercise as well but she has hurt her back ... I don't know some people will do just about anything to get out of exercise! :)
This weekend is the four day long weekend for Easter. I have so much that I want to get done and yet the best thing I am at is procrastinating. I have reports that I want to get done for work, the monthly challenge that needs to be complete (I wrote a children's story about an owl) and I also have a cross stitch to make a dent in for when my boss' bub is born.
Well it is 11:20pm and I have an all day training session to take tomorrow. I hope they are a fun group. That makes the day go a lot faster. Then all I have is Wednesday to get through (I have a horrid day coming up on Wednesday). Thursday should be a breeze. Work is putting on a family fun day so really it is only half a day. I have to do my best to stay away from the BBQ and the easter bunny that will be there.
This weekend is the four day long weekend for Easter. I have so much that I want to get done and yet the best thing I am at is procrastinating. I have reports that I want to get done for work, the monthly challenge that needs to be complete (I wrote a children's story about an owl) and I also have a cross stitch to make a dent in for when my boss' bub is born.
Well it is 11:20pm and I have an all day training session to take tomorrow. I hope they are a fun group. That makes the day go a lot faster. Then all I have is Wednesday to get through (I have a horrid day coming up on Wednesday). Thursday should be a breeze. Work is putting on a family fun day so really it is only half a day. I have to do my best to stay away from the BBQ and the easter bunny that will be there.
Sunday 16 March 2008
Curse of Creativity & Scrapbooking
About 10 years ago my craft revolved around embroidery and decoupage. R then introduced me to card making with punches and glitter. I found this to be a lot of fun. For a couple of years I refused to get into scrap booking. Being a photographer (amateur of course) I feel that the photograph is the focal point and not the decoration. Many of the scrapbook pages I had seen were over the top and did nothing but hide the photo rather than help it to stand out.
I don't know what finally made me start up. I think I just wanted to organise my photo's a bit better than they were. I was determined only to buy what I needed and not what I may need in future.
Yeah right!!! There is so much nice stuff out there.
Anyway we had an old table that I started to use as my craft table at the back of the lounge room. I managed to get some cheap plastic draws for papers and it snowballed from there. Eventually we decided to convert the shed into a studio. All my craft was to go into there (including sewing machines etc - they are yet to make it out there).
Now there are a couple things I am cursed with:
I don't know what finally made me start up. I think I just wanted to organise my photo's a bit better than they were. I was determined only to buy what I needed and not what I may need in future.
Yeah right!!! There is so much nice stuff out there.
Anyway we had an old table that I started to use as my craft table at the back of the lounge room. I managed to get some cheap plastic draws for papers and it snowballed from there. Eventually we decided to convert the shed into a studio. All my craft was to go into there (including sewing machines etc - they are yet to make it out there).
Now there are a couple things I am cursed with:
- Being creative - yes this is a blessing and a curse because all you want to do is sit down and create something and look out anything that gets in your way! This would include tidying up.
- Organising - I am the sort of anal person that has to have things organised into brands and then colours. Each colour then has to flow into the next as well i.e. yellow to orange to red and so on. I also like things to be within arms reach and categorised for easy locating.
THE CURSE:
Combine the two points above and you get chaos. When I start a project all I can think about is finishing it. This means everything required for the project gets pulled out and kept within arms reach. To begin with there is order and even as the untidiness grows I know where everything is. I get frustrated when the organised mess is no longer organised. By this stage it is a huge mess and I need to do a big tidy up. Unfortunately these tidy ups take longer than it did to make the mess in the first place because I have to reorganise the mess into little piles and then put it away. Now I am even talking about the size of the paper ... is it big enough to go back on the rack or should I put it in the scrap draw designated for that colour and forget that it is there.
Starting in November last year I created a special engagement album for my friend. I managed to tidy most of this up before I made the album for my father. As soon as the album was finished I started on the little story book album and have done a couple of monthly challenges as well.
Consequently time spent tidying has been minimal and as you can see by the photo's below it is very frustrating indeed.
My mother has also complained that I spend too much time in the studio and that she never sees me so I purchased a little table on which I could work in the lounge room to keep her company. Well now the lounge room has been once again taken over and mum is wishing she had never said anything now!! :)
Yes I sit in the corner there and work - not at the moment though.
Friday 14 March 2008
Favorite Color Swap Questionnaire
The questions came through this afternoon so here it goes:
1. What are your top three favorite colors?
I don't really have a favourite colour but I do love bright oranges, reds and yellows that mix well with browns. Autumn colours really.
2. What crafts do you really enjoy?
Scrap booking
3. What products do you really covet?
Embellishments. Something different but not too weird. I have enough eyelets though. Buttons is something I would like more of.
4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things?
This would be blogging and keeping in touch with my friends. Oh and playing with my dog.
5. Is there anything you collect?
Items for scrap booking
6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol?
I don't believe in this stuff.
7.What are your favorite……
I am thinking of doing up my photo's from when I lived in South Korea so anything oriental for scrap booking. I also am going to do one for my dogs. Other than that just embellishments really.
9. Are you allergic to anything?
Work!
10. Do you have any pets? What are they?
This should be do I have any children because my two dogs are my children. At least they think they are because they think they are human. I have a 7 yr old poodle, and a 14 yr old chihuahua cross.
11. I am pretty fussy when it comes to papers and prefer to chose my own. I also have so many papers that I am thinking of giving some away, so please no paper (unless it is oriental because that I don't have).
1. What are your top three favorite colors?
I don't really have a favourite colour but I do love bright oranges, reds and yellows that mix well with browns. Autumn colours really.
2. What crafts do you really enjoy?
Scrap booking
3. What products do you really covet?
Embellishments. Something different but not too weird. I have enough eyelets though. Buttons is something I would like more of.
4. What other activities do you enjoy besides your favorite crafty things?
This would be blogging and keeping in touch with my friends. Oh and playing with my dog.
5. Is there anything you collect?
Items for scrap booking
6. What is your zodiac sign and/or Chinese zodiac symbol?
I don't believe in this stuff.
7.What are your favorite……
- scents/smells? Fresh rain and cut grass
- types of music and/or bands? I love just about anything and have no real favourites
- authors? Don't get to read much
- animals? All animals but especially dogs
- places to shop? Scrapbook stores and eBay
- season? Autumn
- yarn/fabric/paper/other craft supplies? I like playing around with chipboard lettering and swirls.
- candies or goodies? Nope I am on a diet. Carrot sticks all the way
I am thinking of doing up my photo's from when I lived in South Korea so anything oriental for scrap booking. I also am going to do one for my dogs. Other than that just embellishments really.
9. Are you allergic to anything?
Work!
10. Do you have any pets? What are they?
This should be do I have any children because my two dogs are my children. At least they think they are because they think they are human. I have a 7 yr old poodle, and a 14 yr old chihuahua cross.
11. I am pretty fussy when it comes to papers and prefer to chose my own. I also have so many papers that I am thinking of giving some away, so please no paper (unless it is oriental because that I don't have).
Colour Swap 3 & Monthly Challenge 3
Colour swap 3 is on again. I have just found out who my secret pal is and have had a good look at her blog. Last year in colour swap 2 we had questions to answer which helped in understanding what our pal wanted. It does not appear that they have been provided this time. Anyway to the person who has me I will give you some hints later on today.
The monthly challenge is on. I am at a loss for ideas. I have to decorate a tin and I have a chipboard owl to decorate. That is the easy part. What I can put in the tin is the hard part. I have been thinking of writing a short story about an owl and decorating it (had no inspiration) or cards with words of wisdom on them (common). I need something different so if anyone has any ideas that would be great. I will hopefully be doing it over Easter.
Gotta run - late for work - again!
The monthly challenge is on. I am at a loss for ideas. I have to decorate a tin and I have a chipboard owl to decorate. That is the easy part. What I can put in the tin is the hard part. I have been thinking of writing a short story about an owl and decorating it (had no inspiration) or cards with words of wisdom on them (common). I need something different so if anyone has any ideas that would be great. I will hopefully be doing it over Easter.
Gotta run - late for work - again!
Thursday 6 March 2008
Been Shopping
Well I have been shopping. My boss is going to Africa for a conference and he has agreed to take a toy over to my niece. The problem is that with all the sales on at the moment there have been some lovely bargains. This means the toy has grown to about four outfits and some stickers for mum to play with. I have put in a video of the toy because it is sooooo cute. It was the last one in the store so I think the battery is dying (plus the closet child in me has been having fun). You will notice that anything that sounds real and cute will also produce the appearance of my dog to see if it is fake or if it is something she has to kill.
Wednesday 5 March 2008
Inspiration
I must say there have been many times where I have thought something to myself and though I have not prayed to God about it, I find that it happens. One of those instances was today. I think I might be coming down with a head cold so the thought of doing Jacobs ladder once let alone twice was an effort in itself. My boss is on holidays and will not be joining me for two weeks. I kept thinking that today of all days was when I really needed someone there to make sure that I did not quit.
I got to Jacobs ladder and went down it in record time. Coming up though it was like the first week. My legs did not like what I was doing to them and my lungs were complaining bitterly. I got to the top did some stretches and turned around to leave. I then thought, "I am quitting again. When the going gets tough I quit." I was even feeling a little more energetic and still I was going to head back to the car. Visions of the week before when I did it twice kept flashing back. There were times when I thought I would not make it and yet I had to. That was on a very hot day too. Today was cool. I had no excuse and new I would kick myself so I decided to do it again and take it slowly coming up.
I was almost at the bottom when I stepped aside to let some faster people go in front and an Asian girl sped passed and said "come on you can do it." I just grinned and didn't think of it much at the time. I reached the bottom and turned around to come back up. I changed my tactic and instead of pushing myself to a certain spot and stand there puffing for 5 minutes, I stopped more regularly to catch my breath and recovered a lot quicker. On my way up I saw the girl 2 more times and both times she encouraged me. The last time I was so close to the top and she stopped and said "go on you are almost there."
It was exactly what I needed. There were many other stragglers on the stairs huffing and puffing but she chose me to encourage. I thanked God for answering the prayer that I didn't think to ask. I feel like I really accomplished something today. I pushed through the pain barrier and even managed to beat last weeks time by 10 minutes.
I would love to do it 3 times soon but I have to leave by a certain time to be elsewhere so right now it is not an option. I will work on trying to stop less. I would love to be able to get halfway without having to stop 3 times.
It's interesting, I am getting to know the regulars. There is a group of mega fit guys who go up and down with chains around their neck and 30kg in a backpack. One looks like he is in his late 50's to early 60's and totally puts me to shame. In my two climbs I saw him 5 times!! That is including the time he does up top with his weights!!! The first time I saw him he had chains around his neck and I thought yep, I've died and gone to hell.
I got to Jacobs ladder and went down it in record time. Coming up though it was like the first week. My legs did not like what I was doing to them and my lungs were complaining bitterly. I got to the top did some stretches and turned around to leave. I then thought, "I am quitting again. When the going gets tough I quit." I was even feeling a little more energetic and still I was going to head back to the car. Visions of the week before when I did it twice kept flashing back. There were times when I thought I would not make it and yet I had to. That was on a very hot day too. Today was cool. I had no excuse and new I would kick myself so I decided to do it again and take it slowly coming up.
I was almost at the bottom when I stepped aside to let some faster people go in front and an Asian girl sped passed and said "come on you can do it." I just grinned and didn't think of it much at the time. I reached the bottom and turned around to come back up. I changed my tactic and instead of pushing myself to a certain spot and stand there puffing for 5 minutes, I stopped more regularly to catch my breath and recovered a lot quicker. On my way up I saw the girl 2 more times and both times she encouraged me. The last time I was so close to the top and she stopped and said "go on you are almost there."
It was exactly what I needed. There were many other stragglers on the stairs huffing and puffing but she chose me to encourage. I thanked God for answering the prayer that I didn't think to ask. I feel like I really accomplished something today. I pushed through the pain barrier and even managed to beat last weeks time by 10 minutes.
I would love to do it 3 times soon but I have to leave by a certain time to be elsewhere so right now it is not an option. I will work on trying to stop less. I would love to be able to get halfway without having to stop 3 times.
It's interesting, I am getting to know the regulars. There is a group of mega fit guys who go up and down with chains around their neck and 30kg in a backpack. One looks like he is in his late 50's to early 60's and totally puts me to shame. In my two climbs I saw him 5 times!! That is including the time he does up top with his weights!!! The first time I saw him he had chains around his neck and I thought yep, I've died and gone to hell.
Saturday 1 March 2008
7 Random Things About Me
Ruth was tagged for a meme on 7 random things about herself and though she didn't tagged me specifically I know she would appreciate me doing one so here I go:
- I was born at Mt Hagen hospital in the highlands of Papua New Guinea
- I eat raw corn on cob. Yes I do, it's not weird, it's the way God intended it to be eaten. It is very nice and for those of you screwing up your face at the thought I dare you to live life and try it. - Sorry had to put that in because it has surprised me how few people eat raw corn on the cob.
- I used to compete in spring board diving when I was younger. I quit because as I got older and the dives more complex I started to fear the board.
- I would love to live in Canada for a year or more - up near the Rockies, maybe in Calgary.
- I have never been on a date
- At 22 a friend took sympathy on me (knew that I liked him) and gave me my first kiss. He has a big mouth and I felt like I was being swallowed. It wasn't a nice experience.
- My dog taught me what real love is. Obviously not the romantic love of course. Anyway until I bought Tess I didn't really know what love felt like.
You know that was kinda hard. I am going to tag everyone who reads this, even if you don't have a blog just right it down. It really makes you think about things.
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