Knit Knacks

I have a LOT of stuff- my family calls it "knick knacks;" others might call it junk; sometimes I call it crap and now my children lovingly refer to MY STUFF as crap!  When my grandmother passed away, we came home with lots of knick knacks.  She was the Queen Knack.  We gave away stuff to Goodwill, neighbor children, the garbage men, even folk stopping by with condolences.  And still there was lots of stuff left.  I have 4 children so we loaded stuff up and packed it in the car-- "they might want it some day!" we reasoned.  Some blog posts ago I might have mentioned (I can't remember) a correlation between the stuff in our house and the stuff around our thighs/ hips/ waists.  I'm a believer. I can't quote a reference right now; but I believe!

Today I titled this post Knit Knacks because in addition to all the stuff I already have, I am now hoarding yarn.  I laugh.  I can't do anything in moderation, can I?  Tucked in a basket right next to my coloring paraphernalia is skeins and skeins of yarn, oh, and lots of hooks too.  A girl can't use just one hook, right?  Several months ago (maybe even a year) Eldest Daughter and I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased skeins of colored yarn.  Looking at my basket, nothing matches or would look good together.  What does that mean?  Back to Hobby Lobby to purchase matching colors for the colors I already own so I can make a nice looking potholder!

I have a headache.  I opened the bathroom cabinet and a myriad of lotion bottles were staring at me.  Where did all these lotions come from?  Every once in a while I get a hankering for girly things and walk down the cosmetic aisle and sample and smell every lotion and ta da...purchase one or a dozen.  I'm sorry about this post.  It is a random knick-kancky rambling from a strawberry with a headache.  Thankfully on one of those girly shopping sprees I bought a bottle of aromatherapy "Stress Relief" spray.  I'm carrying it around with me so I'll be a bubble of stress relief.  I think I'll go down a few Advil too!

Grainiacs, I've given up coloring for now and I'm working on knitting and crocheting.  I love to craft but haven't taken the time to do it.  I think my coloring has brought out all this crafty behavior.  It's not helping the house cleaning or the organizing the meal planning, but it calms me.  And let's face it-- we all need calm during this season.

Pleasant crafting to you and yours.

Worth Repeating

I know I say this every other blog, but WHERE IS MY DAY GOING?  I can't believe it is Sunday and I've only blogged 2 times this past week.  I love working.  I love seeing and meeting new people every day.  I love my co-workers and leadership at the bank.  It is a joy.  But I'm slipping back into bad habits.  I'm not thinking about what I'm going to eat.  I don't plan and I get hungry.  It is a struggle many with weight issues face daily
....no time....or feeling like there's no time.....or just not taking the time.  THAT is my problem.  I do have the time to plan and organize my days but I'm doing other things-- like coloring or watching TV or reading or (fill in the blanks)______.  I have loads of excuses.

Okay, now it is Monday!!!  Yesterday I wrapped gifts and I did plan out what I was going to eat.  AND I stuck to it... plus the fudge that a wonderful parishioner brought over...and a few mini Reese's peanut butter cups  that another sweet parishioner brought over.  I asked College Daughter to eat it and she said "No! I'm not sabotaging my weight."  I asked Hubby and he said "No! I've already had one."  "One!!!??"  Can you believe those two?  I love the way they think.  I'm taking a cue from them.  I will say "No! I've already had one" (that's the cue) or the really hard response "No! I'm not sabotaging my weight."  Out, out, damn fudge and Reese's peanut butter cups!!!  I love the people who thought about us and brought them over, but I do not love YOU!

What a great day to take a cue from those who do not struggle with weight problems.  The word of the day is "NO."  (But not screaming it....just refusing.)


Here's another No worth repeating.  Strawberry do not buy that hat!

"woof woof...or wolf...wolf"

I'm dreaming of...

Nursing homes!  Last night I must have been dog-tired.  I dreamed crazy dreams....like re-arranging a bedroom to include 3 twin beds.  I also was working at a nursing home and my job was changing sheets.  Ha ha ha...anyone who knows me KNOWS housework of that kind doesn't happen too often.  I can live with the bed bugs as long as they bite Hubby and not me!  I even tolerate the dust bunnies as long as they hide behind the furniture and don't come scurrying out from under the couch.  I also insist they keep the procreation down to a minimum.  That or family is coming to town.

Thursday I came home from work and College Daughter re-arranged the TV room.  I'm so proud.  I used to do that to me own mum decades ago.  It's not that either room needed updating, mind you.  We just like change.

I'm changing me from the inside out (although outside is sort of at a standstill right now...unhappy Strawberry).  Change is happening in my house/ in my dreams/ and yes, inside me.  I'm learning to be content. So yes, I'm dreaming of me.

May I start all over?

All morning long I cried I need a "do-over" day.  It began yesterday morning when I got to work and the safe with the keys didn't open.  Cars started lining up at 7:25 a.m. and my co-worker and I were in a pickle!  Did you feel like batteries do NOT keep enough power?  I've been thinking the juice in those babies is crappy.  So we worked our tails off in the a.m. and it didn't slow down till mid-morning.  Thankfully my lunch is close to mid-morning and I ran a trial balance.  I was short almost one hundred dollars!!!  Oh my gosh, I wanted to cry and I almost did.  Hopefully the shortage will show up in adjustments this morning; otherwise my day will be shot today too.  I really needed a do-over.

Last night as I was eating pizza (uh oh) and watching TV, the funniest show came on.  It was sort of like "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray only this one was called "12 Days of Christmas."  The heroine's day kept repeating itself until she got it right....or something like that.  I hate those shows.  Just like I hated Bewitched.  I always wanted that type of thing to really happen.  For instance when it came to cleaning my room.  Why couldn't I twitch my nose and presto! my room was cleaned.  Why can't I have one do-over day where it starts with bringing new batteries to work so we wouldn't be rushed and mistakes wouldn't happen.  Like eating pizza and having it come back up before midnight and giving me heartburn.  WHY????

Guess what?  It's time for work.  It's a new day.  A new "do better" day.  Don't stress about work; don't rush; don't make bad choices that you'll pay for later; and for heaven's sake DON'T EAT THE LEFT-OVER PIZZA!!!

Happy Tuesday, Grainiacs!

Santa Baby

Sunday was a good day.  First off, three of my four kiddos were home.  College kids are home for Christmas break.  I even asked eldest Son if he would be Santa at the children's Christmas party.  I gave him an out saying if he didn't do it; his sister would.  She owes him big time (or so he says!  She didn't object so it must be so.)

What a trooper!

One of our members has been out of town and she came running up and told me how good I look and that she can tell I've lost weight.  I was thrilled.  People who see me day in and day out haven't noticed and that's okay because I still have loads of weight to lose.  That one little comment has helped my resolve to keep on keeping on.  Ya know?

Also on Sunday our children presented A Christmas Gift worship service to our congregation.  It was wonderful...sniff sniff.  They were precious and I know God was smiling.  They are so innocent and loving in their worship.  They sang...they smiled...they worshiped God the best way they knew how...giving it their all.  I asked parents if I could post pictures on facebook so I hope they don't mind me including one or two on this blog also. 

 

I hope you have a blessed season and look for the innocence in every day things.

Hip Hip Huh?

I'm telling you....post a goal for all the world to see and wait and see how many opportunities you have to sabotage it!  What a day yesterday.  Weight-wise, it wasn't great.  Bowling-wise, it was phenomenal...for me, that is.  I bowled 3 strikes in a row my first 3 times up.  I'm a turkey in bowling lingo. And boy was I strutting.  I had to ask "who am I?" those three times.  Then my fourth time up I bowled a split and guess what?  I spared on that split!!!!  LOL  I thought the world might be coming to an end, but here we are this morning.  Oh and wait.  My average is a 98 (I'm not bragging here) and my first game I bowled a 156!  Second game wasn't as great- I lost my groove....that can happen when you are strutting around bowling.  Anywho, my last frame I bowled a strike. Then another....then another!!!  I'm a two-timing turkey!!!  LOL  I bowled a 138 second game.  Third game....oops.....a 109.  Still I bowled over my average.  I think I need to practice this coming week.  Otherwise no one will believe it was really me bowling the week before.  So that's my good news.  The bad news is bowling has been my only form of exercising.  I think I told you (plenty of times...you should have it memorized by now)....my grain is to NOT exercise.  I really think I'm allergic to it.  I just can't get myself motivated.  There are too many other (more fun) things to do.

I really think I have it figured out, though.  I remember in grade school and even junior high, certain punishments involved walking around the track or running or whatever.  In junior high, I forgot to purchase and bring fabric for my homemaking class (it was really called that for all you youngsters).  The teacher ordered me to go outside and walk around the track.  For some, that would be enjoyable; for me, it was humiliation because the whole southside of the school and everyone going to the zoo or driving by could see that lone girl walking around the track.  In high school, several of us would leave campus and go eat lunch.  Getting back late to tennis meant we had to run....not walk...run around the courts.  Sometimes we had to run even if we weren't late.  Now what's with that?  Didn't Coach know we girls were there preparing ourselves for the country club atmosphere we were destined to have later in life?  Play tennis?....pppfffftttt!

I'm scared to post another goal here, but here goes....I, Strawberry, will no longer look at the "E" word as punishment.  E is good; dare I say "excellent?"  You, dear Grainiacs, will hold me responsible to exercising.  I have to do it.  Cutting out grains for these many months has helped get off 14/15 pounds but I need more.  I need to move my bones more than just once a week bowling.  So I purchased a hip hop dance video.  Now that's going from one extreme to another!  I hope there is strutting in the video.  I have lots of practice doing that.  Let's just hope my hips can take the hop!

Waiting

Who likes to wait?  I sure don't.  I guess that's why I'm impulsive and fat!  See Countdown blog if your memory fails you like mine does.

I've read articles that say to take a book or project with you if you find yourself "waiting."  People tend to calm themselves if they are doing something versus just sitting and stewing while say in a waiting room.  The very same office you called and made an appointment and you've been sitting there stewing for over an hour!!!!!  I better go find a project; I'm starting to stew.  Maybe I'll make a pot of stew.  It's cold in my parts of the woods.

What if you are waiting for a package you ordered?  Companies and delivery services have taken care of that.  You can pay extra for next day service....unless you are the USPS.  I hear they are canceling next day service permanently.  Hmmm  Better get my Christmas gifts mailed in November or even October next year.

Which brings me to the subject of gifts.  Nobody likes to wait anymore so we purchase things we want right away.  Who can wait till Christmas?  My mom used to tell me "put it on your Christmas list."  Well, knowing me as you all know me now, WHO CAN WAIT TILL CHRISTMAS???/ I want it now!  Oh I'm so impulsive.  It's sounding like an excuse, right?  <wink>

My kids couldn't wait to move some place where it snowed.  Guess what?  We did.  Guess where they are now?  Moved south!!!  Story of my life. 

I'm not complaining; although it does sound like it.  It's just that I've been house cleaning and that puts me in a bad mood.  When Girl #2 was 3 years old, a little boy in her Pre-K class bothered the dickens out of her.  Every day she would get in the car after school and say "Joey put me in a bad mood, Momma."  Every day!!!  I still smile and laugh about that.  House cleaning puts me in a bad mood, Grainiacs!  My sister-in-law and I had notices printed and framed that says "A clean house is a sign of a wasted life."  My life has been full....just look at my house!  My broom is patiently waiting in the kitchen so I best not keep it waiting.

Here are some photos of yesterday.  Happy Snow Days and keep warm.  Make a pot of stew or sweep or stew and sweep.  It's your call.

Go Longhorns!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas....not really!

cold backyard

The Joker

Note to self: People, in general, are NOT in a good/ joking/ jovial mood during this time of year.  'Nuf said!

Well, Grainiacs and one banana!  I stepped on the scale this morning and I'm down a few ounces so I'm heading in the right direction.  6.2 pounds to go to reach my 7 pound goal.  Baby steps, right?

I think I told you I'm a working Strawberry now.  I received my first paycheck.  I started working in between two pay periods so this check was rather tiny.  I'm sure Payroll was thinking "Why bother?"  But it felt good to receive it.  I even opened my own checking account.  I know Hubby is thinking "Why bother?"  I get free checks!  So I ordered the most girly, foofy checks available.  (Wasn't I just talking about "impulsive" yesterday???)  I told Hubby would you like to use my checks.  He's a man of the cloth so he just shook his head "no."  I'm sure there were some choice phrases but since he is a Rev. Hubby, he kept them to himself.  They look something like this one...

He might like to watch HGTV and cooking channels but he draws the line when it comes to paying bills.  And by the way: Please don't write me or call me at this address or phone number.  I am NOT Lisa Smith nor is Hubby's name Michael.  Thank you for your consideration and I know Michael and Lisa will thank you!

The funniest thing happened the other day.  I was working at the computer and I noticed movement in my peripheral vision.  I stopped what I was doing and just watched.  My fur-mily is soooo entertaining.

Kitzilla!  Let sleeping dogs lie!!!

Wait! What's that you see?

Do you see what I see?  Something else is not going to let a sleeping dog lie....especially when he starts rubbing his legs together!

It's a cricket and not a very smart one at that!  Is there a phrase "Dumber than a cricket?"

I'm thinking this joker has a death wish.

Catch me if you can.  Oh, she could and she did!!!  Now who's laughing?

DO YOU SEE WHY I don't get anything done at my house?!  It's really not my fault (she says sheepishly/ jokingly).  No joke; I do have to go unload the dishwasher before work so it's off the blog.

P.S.  The cricket survived sans one leg.  Boy took it outside and stuck it in a plant.  It was the least we could do. Cricket offered so much entertainment to all of us!

P.S.S. My first comment pertained to some sophomoric shenanigans happening at work (I wasn't involved; just watching it all unfold as an innocent bystander. Really!!!).  People! Take a joke.  Yes, it was juvenile but it was all in good fun.  Some people just don't joke about football.  'Nuf said!!!

Countdown!

I mentioned in my Thankspigging blog that I was going to go back over my past blogs to regain that enthusiasm for a changed me.  In my first blog ever in blog-land I mentioned why I named my blog Going Against the Grain Still.  Do you remember?  Me either, but I was reminded when I read Day1.  It just so happened that the recent edition of AARP (my husband’s magazine…not mine!  Oh, who am I kidding?) has an article called “Weight Loss:  Mood & Food.  Can’t lose weight?  Your personality may be to blame.”  YEAH, it really isn’t my fault!!!  Whoo hoo.  “So impulsive individuals might eat less if they plan their meals in advance.”  Now what have I been saying to myself???  Easier said/ written than done.  The article said that "impulsive people weigh about 22 pounds more than those who are cautious."  TWENTY-TWO POUNDS MORE!!!!  It doesn't say that cautious people are skinny, but that impulsive people weigh on average 22 pounds MORE.  yikes.  I'm impulsive.  I'm spontaneous.  I'm free.  I'm FAT because of it!  Now that is just not right.  I don't know how to be cautious.  Ask my Mom/ Hubby/ Child/ Friend/ Acquaintance.  If Strawberry wants it; Strawberry gets it!  I wish I could buy a skinnier body....nope, not doing surgery to get it.... so don't tell me that!  For now I'll be happy that 15 pounds are gone forever.  My next goal is getting rid of those pesky 7 pounds so that this impulsive Strawberry will be minus the 22 pounds mentioned in that old magazine!  The countdown has begun.

Here Lies....

Here lies the last crop of my summer gardening.

No need to feign excitement; the smallest one is about the size of my pinky knuckle!  I attempted container gardening this past year and it flopped like my first attempt at cooking an angel food cake....flat.  Next season I'm buying produce from the market.  It will be cheaper and save me from moving the dang containers around to follow the sun.  Too much work and not enough satisfaction.  Enough said.

Everyone at work is getting excited about "Bedlam."  That's where OSU and OU square off in football.  Like UT beating out A&M on Thanksgiving....by ONE POINT!!!!  Whoo hoo....go Longhorns.  So I'm really not excited about Bedlam.  I mean who cares if OSU beats OU or OU beats OSU, but it is bedlam for sure.  At my place of employment there are more OU fans than the 2 or 3 OSU fans.  It's fun, though.  Good-natured rivalry is fun.  It's when it turns to violent testicle-cutting mayhem that this Strawberry has to ask "What the Hell?"  I'll tell you about that story some other time.  It is time to go to work.  I am wearing an orange/ red ensemble to work today, but I have burnt orange socks and my UT tumbler.  I also made a nice red and orange pasta salad-- Bedlam Pasta.  Oh, I didn't mention, we are eating too!  I love rivalry.  We have good "poking" fun and "sooner" or later, we eat!!!  What's not to love.  In case you don't get my puns: OSU's motto is "Go, Pokes" (I don't know why? It's Oklahoma, what can I say?) and OU's is the Sooners.  OU's has to do with the outlaws (illegals?) that came across the KS line early during the Land Run!  So there you have it.

Here's my salad.

Thankspigging

So here's the scoop....or in my case the shovel....I gained one pound over the Thanksgiving holiday and I have consistently kept on that one pound!  I don't want to hear..."it's just one pound."  That is how I gained my 20+ pounds...one pound at a time.  So today I'm going to go back over ALL my blog posts and try to "gain" back that drive that powered me to lose that 15 pounds in the first place and lose another 15.  I can't slip up this early in the game.  Please send positive thoughts my way and I'll keep you posted.  For now it is time for work and I haven't had breakfast.  Need power!

Th-Th-Th-That's All Folks!

Strawberry
~~channeling Porky Pig