Weight Watchers

I started on a Weight Watchers food plan on Sept 18th. I also started an exercise (low-impact aerobics) on Sept 22nd.

As of my weekly meeting weigh-in this morning, I've lost a total of 11.4 pounds. It's been tough, but I'm determined to get off my blood pressure medicine and get more healthy.

Soon I may have to go shopping for smaller size pants, as I now have to wear a belt. I still am not able to get my wedding ring on- yet. But the time will come soon. I'm looking forward to that.

Fabric Sale- Sat 10/09/09

Today, Jonathan, Denise, Naomi and I went to the semi-annual fabric by the pound sale at a fabric warehouse located about 1 1/2 hours east of us.

They sell the discontinued, damaged, and/or mis-ordered fabrics by the pound. When you enter the warehouse, you are given a 30 gallon plastic bag. Then you get to walk around digging and sorting through large rolls of fabric (many are 60-72 inches wide) stacked on large racks or though piles on the floor. We have learned to bring out scissors with us to cut off the amount we want from the large rolls.

You never know what kind of fabric will be available, although the majority is upholstry fabric as that is what the company specializes in. We found some nice curtains today, and some fabric for garments (which is not the usual) and some fabrics for making vestments (or for justdecorating vestments- like the 3 velveteens.)

Jonathan and I collected 59 pounds, Naomi 15 pounds, and Denise 26 pounds. We have a lot of sewing and crafting ahead of us. Now if we can just finish the projects we decided to do for Christmas gifts in time. [This is a nice problem to have :)]

Drill Competition 10/3/09 Saturday

Jon Paul and Naomi took part in a JROTC drill competition with their teams today. They left the house at 5 AM this morning, after spending a fair amount of time last night ironing uniforms and shining shoes!

There were about 15 schools competing. Jon Paul took 3rd place in Individual Knockout Drill (out of about 200 or so cadets). He was awarded a large trophy, but for now it will be kept at the school.

Here is a link to the video that Naomi made of the exhibition drill team, of which Jon Paul is a member. (You will have to copy and paste the address as I can't make it turn into a clickable link.)

http://www.facebook.com/friends/?ref=tn#/video/video.php?v=1231615637006

=====
As a side note, on Thursday there were promotions. Jon Paul is now a cadet Lt.Colonel and Naomi is a Staff Sgt.

Rainy Day- But we are NOT flooded

It is raining here, again. This is a photo looking out the garage side door into the back yard.



Updated 9/23/09- I have had several people call or email me lately wondering if we are floating away with the flooding they've seen in the news. We are fine. Our house sits on a hill, and we are south of the area hardest hit. Our county is not in the ones listed for emergency relief.

Happy Birthday Jon Paul

My "little" boy is now a legal adult. Happy 18th Birthday Jon Paul. Love you.

ISS show

After my eye check-up this morning, I will be heading to the ISS show (Imprinted Sportswear Show) in Atlanta. This is a 3 day trade show for appareal decorating businesses. (that's embroidery, silk, screen, heat transfer, etc).

I hope I get lots of thread and other samples like last year. I'll get to see lots of new products and make up a wish list for the future.

I went last year with a friend and we had a good time (even though she doesn't sew). This year I'm going by myself. That friend has a new grandson born on Thursday and she gets to play grandma. And Jonathan has too much homework to come home this weekend. So I'm going today instead of waiting until Saturday when I expect more people to be attending.

I just pray that my feet and back hold up for all the walking around all the exhibits. This year I'm taking a rolling suitcase to hold all of the catalogs. Last year I did take a big tote bag, but that soon got very heavy on my shoulder.

It should be lots of fun.

Dad's surgery

My father had to have a second surgery on his elbow yesterday. The applicance to replace the elbow bone that was put in a year ago was broken (turns out it was likely broken when it was originally installed!)

The surgery went well. His tendons & ligaments have healed, to the point where a replacement appliance was considered unnecessary. So it was not replaced. This should stop all of the pain he has been in. With therapy, it is expected that he will be again to regain more movement in the arm than he has had, but will not be able to fully extend the elbow.

He was discharged from the hospital last night. Thank you for your prayers.

I love you Daddy!