Christa Lista

Yes, I am going to make a list...why not?  It is just about the end of 2011 and I've got a new year ahead of me.  I've got a pretty good feeling that 2012 is going to be a very decent year for me.

I've given up the 2nd job.  While all that extra dough is nice to have (and spend), it leaves absolutely no time for me to be able to enjoy this thing called life.  I now understand the proverb "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy".  While not entirely suited for my situation, I get it, I definitely get it.

I was sick.A.Lot.this past year.and I have no doubt that the whole no down-time thing played a very big role in me being sick.  That's not the life I want to live.  The down-time I did have was spent on the couch, stuffing my face with garbage because my body wanted nutrients and I thought I heard it say "Chocolate" and "Grilled Cheese sandwich".  I finally was able to translate what it really wanted when I stepped on the scale and realized I had gained back all of what I had lost.

One day this past November, I finally heard it loud and clear "Vitamins".  Ooooooh....okay.

Anyway, I've learned to appreciate my down-time.  I will no longer use it to do right by my pocket.  I will use it to do right by my body, my mind and my soul.  aka Balance

1. Make a bedtime and stick to it as best as you can (10:30pm)
2. Journal as often as possible (I've found that I enjoy getting inside my head and thinking out loud, even if it only makes sense to me)
3. Turn off the T.V. - it sucks me in every.single.time. and before I know it, I've wasted 4 hours on nonsense
4. Create - get the juices flowing and actually make things, finish projects I've started or intended to start but never got around to it.
5. Clean and keep clean.  Working 7 days a week doesn't offer much time to keep clean and organized, now with all of this new found time, I have no excuse really
6. Get on the lake - I've already started pricing out Inflatable water crafts and it looks like an inflatable Kayak may be just the right thing for me/us.  It will be great exercise too!
7. Get on the road - take day trips to places I haven't been such as Tallulah Falls, a gorgeous spot that I've been wanting to see since I found out I would be moving to GA back in 2004, it's time I get there.
8. Use the earth as my gym.  No one ever said you had to go to a fitness facility to get in a great workout.  I would love a bicycle
9. Give back - I would love to volunteer some of this new found time on a farm, getting sweaty and dirty.  Another great way to workout AND get some fresh veggies!
10. Meditate - woooooosaaaaaaaaahhhh  it feels good

I think I'll end it here for now.  I guess those are my top 10 things I'd like to get going on in the coming new year.  Looking forward to living a life of more purpose for my health instead of just work, I tried that, it's not all that great for me.

12/15/2011 - Making Fat Cry

I abso-freakin-lutely LOVE when my body decides it's time to get up and my mind says "Okay, let's workout"  That's what happened. again. this morning.  Yes, I woke up at 5am and decided I should go workout. And I took a cycle class for the first time in my life.  And I made my fat cry.  I also made my crotch cry.  Ouchieee!  But the amount of sweat I produced was worth it!  And I may invest in a gel seat pad to help with the Ouchie factor....if I can get up that early again next Thursday morning and the Thursday morning after that.  If I can get through 3 5am classes, then I will make the $15-$20 investment for the gel pad.

I went to see Dr. Dell last night.  There were 2 less bones out of alignment then there were 2 weeks prior...AND he was able to tell that I had a portion of my jaw out of alignment.  I didn't even tell him that I had been experiencing a film over my right eye causing blurred vision (not too terrible)...but he found it.  That's pretty amazing if you ask me....it makes me feel like this is not all hocus pocus, because even though I continued to see him, I was a bit skeptical, but wanted to give it a chance.

I just weighed myself and can see that I am down a few more lbs.  a total of 4.4  Is this really working this fast, just 1 full day of Somersizing and my numbers are already going down?  Why am I surprised, I know that Somersizing works, and the fact that I'm getting in some exercise, this shouldn't be a surprise.  10.6 lbs. away from reaching my first 15 lb. goal!!

Workout 5:45 am- 42 minutes of 60 min Spin class

Breakfast  9:00AM (No Green Smoothie) :(

2 Fried eggs

Redbull

Coffee with half & half and 3 Xylitol
1 Total Leaky Gut

1 L-Theanine

1 Homocysteine Redux

1 Vitamin C

1 Vitamin E

1 Garlic

3 Adrenals

1 Biotin

1 B12

Snack 00:00 AM
none

Lunch 11:30 PM
Turkey, Ham, Green Beans and a minute amount of Scalloped potatoes
Unsweet Tea

1 Garlic
1 Vitamin C
1 Total Leaky Gut
2 Adrenals
1 L-Theanine
1 Homocysteine Redux


Snack 2:30 PM
Strawberries and a Grape


Snack 3:30 PM
Dr. Zevia

Snack 4:45 PM
SugarFree Jell-O Chocolate & Vanilla Pudding

*Snort*...both times this week I typed the word "pudding" with an 's' in place of the 'd'

Dinner 00:00 PM

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” - Maria Robinson

12/14/2011 - Back On Track?

I've been feeling like crap emotionally the past week or so, and I hadn't been making my morning smoothies.....nor have I really been keeping up with my supplements....which I can feel All.Over.My.Body.  Yes I've given in to temptations.  Yes I've fallen off plan.  Yes I have halted my workouts.  Yes I have gained weight. f-i-v-e nasty El Bees, though 1.4 of them have already found a new home.
....but I was feeling tired last night and so I went to bed at 9:30 pm.  I didn't try to fight it and wind up falling asleep on the couch.  I went to my bed and was asleep before I knew it.  And then it was 6:50 am....and I got up.  I was already wearing sweat pants and a comfy long sleeved shirt, so I just threw on a light jacket, Crest whitening strips and my sneaks...and I hit the pavement.  And I am proud of myself.  I LOVE walking in the morning.  I love the stillness of everything.  I love that I've already jumped in for an energizer and that I still have a whole day of me.  I walked up and down Morris Rd, which takes only about 10 minutes, but 10 minutes that really get me going!  If I'd said to myself that I should just stay in bed another 10 minutes, it would have turned into an hour and a half and I would feel even more sluggish.
I came home, enjoyed a little online time and then I made my smoothie.

Today's Green Smoothie: (wasn't very green at all, it was pink! and VERY delicious!)
Green Cabbage (fresh)
Cucumber (Fresh) -though on it's way to rotting because It's been sitting there...just waiting for me
Parsley (Fresh)
Ginger (Fresh)
Blueberries (Frozen)
Peaches (Frozen)
Pineapple lots and lots of pineapple...it too was about to go bad (Fresh)
Zico Coconut water

guess I forgot that I also had celery....oopsie

Back on plan today?  I hope so.  I went out to Harry's Market (aka Whole Foods) yesterday at lunch time specifically to buy Xylitol.  I tried the stuff when I was up in Charlotte last weekend.  Jessica had it, and I liked it.  I figured it was better for me than Splenda which is my sweetner of choice for my coffee.  I love the fact that this is even better tasting than Splenda and is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous parts of plants.  instead of chemicals that they lead you to believe is better for you....

I got Xylo Sweet 100 packets.    They also sell the stuff loose, I just wanted the ability to carry some with me.  I am not 100% certain that it's on the Somersizing plan....but apparently it is safe for use in any sugar-controlled diet.  The only downside to the stuff is that you need to build up a tolerance.  It can cause gas and die of the rear....so far I have't had any issues with it that I've noticed.

I need to find that strength within to keep me on plan to achieve my goal.  There is a battle in my brain, and the fat girl is winning majority of the time....I've got to turn it around.  I've taken the steps this morning to get me back on track....I need to stay here!

Today's Goals:
Avoid sugar
Take all supplements
Drink Water
Eat all meals using the Somersize guidelines (You know this really does work, right?)
Move that body (DONE!) though I might get in a stretch and/or balance tonight.




I've got an appointment tonight at 7:15 with Dr. Dell.  Hopefully an adjustment will put me in check.  I love doing right by my body.  I really do...I wish I felt motivated ALL of the time.


Right now I've got 80lbs to lose.  I think I'll just focus on 15 to start out with.


Christa's 15lb. challenge...and GO!


I just ordered some of Suzanne's Chocolate protein powder...those will be good for nights that I don't feel like cooking and BF has a pizza or something else I shouldn't be eating.  This is "Being Prepared"  I need to stick to being prepared as much as possible...for when I am unprepared, I tend to fall back into my old ways.


Breakfast 8:45 AM
Green Smoothie
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Vitamin C
1 Vitamin E
1 Garlic
3 Adrenals
1 Biotin
1 B12

Snack 11:20 AM
Kiwi Fruit

Lunch 12:30 PM
Spinach Mushroom onion tomato swiss cheese omelette
Bacon
2 cups of coffee with Cream and Xyltiol
1 L-Theanine
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Garlic
1 Vitamin C
2 Adrenals

Snack 3:40 PM
Cream Cheese
SF Jell-O Choc/Vanilla pudding

Snack 4:50 PM
Dr. Zevia

Dinner 9:00 PM
Sage Breakfast Sausage, Green Peppers, Onion and Provolone
glass and a half White Wine

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle

12-7-11 Running Late

Just as I had predicted, I didn't have time for a workout last night.....it's all good, I got to spend time with Allison and the kiddos and I accomplished making Christmas cards.

I used my fingerprint in different colors as a string of lights, they're cute and unconventional.

Knowing that I probably wouldn't get in a workout, I purposely parked my car in the very last row at work, which is quite a long walk.

I've never measured it, but maybe a lil less than a quarter mile?  Maybe my perception of distance is a bit off too...believe me, it's a  walk.  The nice thing is though that they preserved a little bit of the land that was there before, so you can have a slight feel of nature.

I usually don't walk through there if it's been raining or if I'm wearing heels because it can get a little too natural if you know what I mean.

We had a bit of rain yesterday, so I chose the asphalt driveway path.  I do need to walk through there a bit more..just to take in that nature.  It's raining today, so it's not gonna happen today.

Today's Green Smoothie:
Green Cabbage (Fresh)

Celery (Fresh)

Bosc Pear (Fresh)

Lime Juice (Fresh)

Parsley (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh)

Peaches (Frozen)

Blueberries (Frozen)

Black Seedless Grapes (Fresh)

Zico Coconut Water

Today's Goals:
Avoid sugar - Though that may not be possible, being that it's Katie's b-day and she's made Paula Dean's Ultimate Coffee Cake - OMG!
Take all supplements
Eat all meals using the Somersize guidelines
Move that body

Breakfast

1 Garlic

1 Total Leaky Gut

3 Adrenals

1 Vitamin C

1 Vitamin E

1 L-Theanine

Green Smoothie

Seriously need to get in the shower now.....it's 10 after 9...time for work!  Picked out a cute outfit.  Denim dress with lime green long sleeve and my saddle colored boots.  Cute!  and comfy!

12-6-11 It's a New Day!

I didn't get to the gym last night BUT I did do a P90X workout with BF before dinner!  It wasn't too bad, I went at my own pace and didn't try to over do it.  I know that once my body is more active, I'll be able to handle more.  I did push myself a few times, I wasn't a total slacker.  At one point during the decline push ups, my arms completely gave up!  I found my entire upper body smashed on the floor!  It wasn't pretty, I am sure!  Not sure if it was the workout or what, but I woke up before 6am....and, you know I think I got a full 8 hrs of sleep last night!  That's something I've been striving for and I am always happy when I can get that.

Today's Green Smoothie:
Spinach (Fresh)
Cucumber (Fresh)
Cilantro (Fresh)
Ginger (Fresh)
Blueberries (Frozen)
Mango (Frozen)
Green Cabbage(Fresh)
Apple (fresh)
Zico Coconut Water

Today's Goals:
Avoid sugar
Take all supplements
Eat all meals using the Somersize guidelines (You know this really does work, right?)
Move that body


Tonight I'm headed over to Allison's to make some handmade Christmas Cards.  I've always loved this tradition, we didn't do it last year, so I am glad we're going to pick it up again this year.  I probably won't get in a workout, which kinda stinks, but perhaps I can find a way to work something in there somewhere....maybe at lunchtime or something, even if it's a walk around the parking lot.


Breakfast 8:00 AM
3 Adrenal
1 Garlic
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 L-Theanine
1 Vitamin C
Green Smoothie


Snack 10:00 AM
2 Hard Boiled Eggs
Coffee, 1/2 & 1/2, 2 pkts Splenda

Lunch 1:00 PM

2 Adrenal
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Vitamin C
Grilled Chicken w/ Provolone
Coffee, 1/2 & 1/2, 4 pkts Splenda

Dinner


Workout

Monday 12-05-11 Starting Something New

So I'm going to try something new....well, maybe I've tried this in the past, I'm not sure cause even I can't keep up with myself sometimes.  :)

I've never been very good or consistent with keeping a journal.  My 5th grade teacher used to give me shit about it, now I give myself shit about it.  I mean look, the last time I updated this Blog was in July....I rest my case.

But I try.

This is my blog.  And it's called Becoming Christa for a reason, Oh I must have wanted to do this before or something.....I'm so smart, this is the perfect place for me to do this!

I'll journal about anything, so don't expect an outline or anything like that.  Really just want to keep track of my Green Smoothies, Workouts, Goals and my weight, which I'm really not very fond of having it out there for all to see, but whatever, it's reality and I always try to keep it real AND I am hoping that journal-ing will help me move that number down to a more pleasant range.  I might throw in a random bit of inspiration like as a quote of someone else, or something my own brain either came up with or has retained for the past and I just remembered it and think that I came up with it.

Overall, I just want to be healthy and look and feel good and I want to document the process.

So here goes:

224.8 - Yep....that's where it's at today.  I've seen that number higher and I've definitely seen it lower....let's concentrate on getting that number somewhere near the 150 lb mark...that's where I look and feel my best.

How am I going to do that?  Well it's certainly not going to be by sitting on my butt.  I've tried it, it doesn't work...ever.  Being prepared is how I plan to get that number down.  Being prepared with Food, supplements, inspiration, positive self talk, oh and workout clothes, or at the very least my sneakers....just keeping them available in case I spontaneously decide to bust a move, I'll be prepared and can't make any excuses.

That number up there that we've already discussed, yeah, not gonna let it get me down.  I'm still sexy, still have a great ass, definitely great teeth and smile (thanks mom)....and my personality, I've always got that!
 This fat doesn't define who I am, BUT it sure does get in the way of being able to wear certain things....and I've always been some form of a fashionista, I owe it to myself to be able to wear the things I am attracted to. My younger sister Jessica gave me a few garments this weekend that just weren't right for her.  I happened to love them but they don't fit at the moment.  While I can get them on, I can't wear them out of the house if you know what I mean....perhaps I should post a photo of myself in these garments at the size that I am at now.  And then, when I've seen some success, we can do a comparison so I can prove to myself and you that I am doing the right thing.

So today...yeah today....cause there's no time like the present to make positive changes.  I started my morning with my supplements.  Those include the ones Dr. Dell prescribed (he's my Chiropractor/Kinesiologist), and the ones I've prescribed for myself.  He's got me on quite a few that I hope are helping, either that or I am spending WAAAAY too much money on this stuff....whatever, it's better than spending it at the bar right?  well, maybe not as much fun ;)

Supplements:
Garlic
Adrenals
L-Theanine
Total Leaky Gut.

I've also prescribed some other things for myself which include:
B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

...and I think that's about it.  I'm also starting the day with a Green Smoothie of whatever fruits and veggies I've got in the kitchen.

Today's Green Smoothie:
Spinach (Fresh)
Cucumber (Fresh)
Cilantro (Fresh)
Ginger (Fresh)
Blueberries (Frozen)
Mango (Frozen)
Apple (Fresh)
Grapes (fresh)
Zico Coconut Water

I've made these green smoothies just about every day for a month or so since I purchased the Kitchen Ninja 1200 because I've become addicted to the feeling that I get when I've had one.  My body can tell when I haven't....I'm more sluggish and I crave things that I shouldn't be putting into my body such a Sugar Free Red Bull.

I just want to be healthy. I want to look healthy and I want to feel healthy.  I don't want to crave things that I shouldn't put into my body.  I want to crave things that I should DO for my body, the right foods and supplements and to move...I like to move it move it.  I love when I am working out on a consistent basis and my body craves that burn!  I need to get myself back there.

I packed my gym clothes.  There is a Body Works plus abs class at 7 tonight.  I have a membership and I have my clothes and sneakers.....even have my socks!   I have no excuses.

Today's Goals:


Avoid sugar
Take all supplements
Eat all meals using the Somersize guidelines (You know this really does work, right?)
Move that body


hmmmm...I didn't really mean to make an acronym.....  But AT EM makes total sense!  Up and AT EM!

Here's where I am at body-wise at the moment.  These pictures were taken on 11/7/11 but there's been no change since then.

Breakfast 9:00 AM
3 Adrenal
1 Garlic
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 L-Theanine
1 Vitamin C
1 Vitamin E
1 B12
Green Smoothie
Coffee, 1/2 & 1/2, 2 pkts Splenda

Snack
Roasted Seaweed
1 Globe Grape

Lunch - 1:00pm
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Vitamin C
1 Garlic
1 L-Thenaine
2 Adrenal
Chicken Salad Scoop about a cup

Dinner 8:30pm
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Vitamin C
Fajita Chicken with mozzarella
Green Cabbage Salad

Workout
P90X Chest & Back

The Summer Pinterest Challenge - Limoncello and......you'll have to read

I am updating this particular entry (today is NOT July 1st, it's August 2nd) because I have decided to submit it as my entry for:

That theses girls initiated:

Please tell me that you know who at least one of the above girls are....if not, I think you should come out from under that rock.

I learned of this challenge via www.younghouselove.com (and that's where those two images above were borrowed from).  See the girl all the way on the left in the picture above?  I can't get enough of her and her hubby John's blog...seriously I read it every day and find constant inspiration, not to mention she's funny and I totally get her!  More points for the fact that she's a Jersey girl living in the south AND she went to FIT....we're practically twins...only she's just a couple of inches shorter than me...

I digress.....
So I guess you could consider this cheating since I had already done it (I started this MONTHS AGO!)  But in actuality I would not have been able to meet the challenge due to time constraints caused by the lemon peels needing to sit for some time (2 MONTHS!) in the grain alcohol.  We'll call this the infusion process.

Another reason I decided to use this as my entry is that I had already created this blog entry and it is actually the last one I wrote.  Talk about needing to attend this blog more frequently, it's been over a month!  Hello lazy bones!

So I was inspired to make limoncello which had happened nearly a year ago when a girlfriend was over with a bottle that her brother had brought back from Italy.  We had mentioned wanting to make some....I googled around for some ideas on how to make the stuff and at some point I had pinned around (yes, it's a new adjective that all the kids will start to learn about in school) looking for creative ways to bottle my finished product.  I am getting real wordy here...so I give you the Sweet Nectar of the Gods!

It's done! And it's mostly Organic (couldn't find organic grain alcohol)

I give you Mostly Organic Limoncello!  This picture was taken before I tied a fancy satin ribbon on the bottle necks....you get the idea though.

OH WAIT A MINUTE!!!  Now that I think about it...I started a new batch this weekend!!!  So technically, I am not a cheater...because it's not limoncello....can you figure out what that is?!?!

I bet you can't!  Here's a REALLY BIG hint:

Why yes, yes I am cool like that, and no, I will not be waiting 2 months for this to infuse.  I figure it should be good by Labor Day.  Can't wait!


Oh, and here's another picture I felt like sharing cause it's funny  :)  and true

Hopefully, I'll be back soon with some new stuff that's going on in my world!  Has anyone else ever made some infused alcohols?  How did they turn out?  Share your recipe if it was great!  I'm not skeeeered....

You Got A Big Butt, A Big Butt

Once again Big Lots comes to the rescue!  We had found a faux leather, pleather if you will, barrel chair for $99 at Big Lots.  I wasn't sold, but after thinking about it for a week or so, we had decided to purchase it since Mama Val will be in town soon for a 1 week visit and having just the one couch will probably not be very comfy for all of us.  We figured it could live temporarily in the livingroom until we found something we loved and then we could move it to the bedroom since we could make room for it in there.
So off to Big Lots we went to purchase the pleather barrel chair.  As we are walking towards the back near where the furniture is, I see some new items and instantly fall in love!  I quickly move towards it and see that it is also priced at $99 but looks no where near like a $99 chair!  I'm already in love with it from a distance but need to feel it, you know to make sure that it is true love!  I have a seat....and fall even more in love with it.  BF agrees that it should be ours and so I swipe it and move it towards the Beluga Sofa to make sure they work together....and they do!

Komet Chocolate Lounge Chair by Sitcom
Image found on amazon.com

Can you see why I am in love!!!  It's perfect!  It's round and it's gorgeous and it's retro inspired which is just what I was hoping for! and it fits my big butt with room to spare! and it was within our budget!
It seriously is a handsome piece that I have no regrets about, which I was thinking would have been the case if we had actually gotten the pleather barrel chair.

We're considering purchasing another one since it's so low profile and takes up very little room despite being wide enough to fit this girls backside!

Coco Chanel approves too!

Our place is coming together beautifully and better than anticipated!

....we don't have a La-Z-Boy!.....and Life is Good!

****UPDATE - I went and purchased a second one last night....I HAD TO!

Limoncello - The Countdown Begins

In the process (because it is a process) of making Limoncello.  

I purchased a bag of Organic lemons from Harry's Market, scrubbed all of the yellow ones (cause there were 2 in the bag that were a bit green still) and used a veggie peeler to remove the zest.

  I put the zest into this large airtight glass canister that I picked up at Target.

  I then poured grain alcohol over the zest....

Now I wait............for something like 40 days..........that will be what...June 7thish

Mmmmmm...Chocolate

We finally did it...we purchased a NEW sofa!  (and a new mattress....can you tell it's tax return time).  We've needed both quite desperately.  BF purchased the Sofa and love seat set that we were temporarily using from a garage sale for $50 for the set.  It had served it's purpose of getting him by until he could afford some new stuff.  It had a cracked frame and was very uncomfortable to sleep sit/lounge on.  The mattress that we had?  Oh that was free...a very old (I am going to put it as made in the early 80s based on the dark floral satin fabric.)  It was awful, but free, and we had put a 4" memory foam topper on it to tide us over 'til we could afford a new mattress.  Well the time came and we had the cash and the deals found us (well, we had to actually go out to a store, but we weren't looking in particular to make these purchases, but the deals were there), so we went on a bit of a shopping spree and got this:

Picture from Big Lots.com

It is made by Simmons and it's called The Deluxe Beluga Chocolate (makes me think of chocolate cover whale bits..ewwww).  It's very firm yet comfortable and sits higher than our previous sofa did...I'm 5'5" and my feet don't touch the floor if I am sitting upright.  The only thing I hadn't noticed when it was sitting on the "showroom" floor were the legs.  After we got it home and unwrapped, we realized that the legs are made of plastic.  A bit of a disappointment, but the price was right and we were able to borrow a friends truck to get it home (not to mention we can always upgrade the legs in the future)  It really goes to show that you get what you pay for.  We thought we were getting a deal at a sale price of $299.99, and it still feels like a deal...the fabric of this sofa is so soft, like petting a soft kitty.  It's a velvety type thick corduroy that I hope will hold up for at least 5 years.  The cats are bound to scratch this bad boy up anyway, so it's probably better off that we didn't spend too much on it.  Regardless, we love it after the first day.  :) 

Oh and if you're wondering where we got it from, Big Lots.  :)  

Here it is enjoying it's new home in our space:

(yes that is a camera pic, the new cam had an unfortunate death last week...it involved a lunch tote and an unsealed (unbeknownst to me) water bottle...sigh)  We do plan to put a chair and ottoman/chaise/recliner/something-other-than-a-love-seat where the old love seat used to reside.  It really opens up the place to not have 2 heavy pieces.  There are no rules, right?  No one ever said you had to buy the matching love seat, did they?  For some reason, I've always purchased sofa and love seat sets....never realizing that things don't have to be all matchy matchy, even though I grew up in a house with one sofa and a recliner.  I'd like something comfortable, yet chic and fresh, or even retro inspired.  I haven't found anything yet that has inspired me enough to say "That's it!"  It will come to me.

...if it were up to BF, we'd have some sort of craziness like this:

Pretty sure this pic is from La-Z-Boy

now while they are very comfy and from the looks of it, quite functional (I think it even has a built in massager and beverage coolor), they just don't work for me when it comes to room design.  I'd like something with a bit more style, ya know, more of a design element and not as much function....though having my very own massage chair would be pretty cool.

And the mattress:

Big Lots Ad

We got the mattress at Big Lots as well....for the same price as the couch, $299.99 on sale.  It's made by Serta and is a mid-range quality from their line of mattresses.  It's very comfy, though I did toss and turn all night as usual.  Is a full nights rest ever in my future?  While I would have loved to Splurge on some higher quality stuff, we were and still are in need of several high ticket items (I think a dryer is up next)  The important thing is that we are happy with our purchases and didn't just settle, just because.

OH and having these new things (and getting rid of the old) had inspired me enough this morning to get some cleaning done!  That's never a bad thing!

I can't wait to get home and vacuum and then pet the new sofa!

Oh and sorry for putting the thought of Chocolate Covered Whale bits in your brain....Here, we can use this to sort of act like the bowl of coffee beans at the perfume counter

Life is good!

Too Much - Stream of Consciousness

I work too much.  Seriously.  I never mentioned that I test software 40 hours per week, I also work at a Special Occasions dress shop about 20-25 hours a week, and in my spare "time off", I sew for cash.  This leaves about enough time to sleep, but definitely not enough time to keep our place clean & tidy, food shopping, relaxation, regular self-maintenance and quality alone time with BF.  I have been using my lunch hours to squeeze in the chiropractor, or doctor or dentist or errand running...I also work through my lunch hour most of the time so that I can dilly-dally a bit or to catch a few extra Z's in the morning before having to start my work all day into the night routine.....

I honestly think it is really starting to affect me.  Sometimes I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew, but when I am doing it, it feels good and I am happy to be doing it.
One of my "Sew for Cash" clients recently asked me "Why do you work so much" and without hesitation I said "Because all of these opportunities keep presenting themselves to me, and with the way things are in the world right now, I feel obligated to accept the work"  I truly do enjoy each and everyone of my jobs, but I feel like they are getting in the way of life.  I can't just go to work whenever I feel like it, I am scheduled to be there and I always feel guilty to take time off...even when I really am sick.

I need more Christa Time aka Leisure Time.  We were meant to work hard but also have at least 1 day per week to rest, right?  At this point I get 1 day off per month.....I truly am Crazy aren't I?

And no, I haven't been saving.  Well, I do have more cash in the bank than when I was just working 1 job, but I still feel like being that I work all the time, I really don't have the time to spend it.  But somehow I do spend it...well some of it.

I need to get things in better order.  Something has to give.  I think it may wind up that I work the dress shop during the busy seasons (Homecoming Season and Prom Season)  about 6 months out of the year....it's hard to comprehend giving up something I enjoy doing....but it is becoming too much.

On 3 occasions, I've found myself having mini (and I mean TINY) meltdowns ,of course with no one else around .  That's not good for the soul.  I don't feel stressed, but I certainly do feel a bit overwhelmed.

I need to do right by me.  I deserve more time to work on me instead of working on something else for someone else.  I mean, I REALLY need to get into the gym...at least 3 times a week....but WHEN?  I have tried so hard to be a morning person and get up and start my day with a workout and yes I love those days when I can push myself but another part of me hates me for doing it...HAH!

I need to regroup.

Update: New Art For the Main Living Area

I knew I shouldn't have walked into Z. Gallerie...sigh...I digress...So I saw some framed wall art that I knew I'd be thinking about for the next 5 years if I didn't purchase it and it was affordable in the sense that I probably wouldn't find it for any cheaper all dinged up at Home Goods and the like....so I bought it....for $106 after tax....and I LOVE IT!!  And BF likes it too, so it's all good in the hood!

 It's a Vespa!  Here's the link to purchase your very own if you feel that you too need this Vespa hanging somewhere in your dwelling.  You're welcome!

As you can see, I moved an end table and lamp in there (originally from the bedroom), The living room needed an end table and that corner certainly needed some light, oh and I moved the Himilayan Salt Lamp that I picked up on Target's website onto that table as well.  I can't seem to find a link to the actual size that I purchased for $29.99, but if you're interested I've seen them in Whole Foods in the Health and Beauty section for around the same price.  It gives off such a nice amber glow, like the glow from a candle but without the flickering.

The place is really coming together nicely.  I feel it's finally starting to say "A happy, fun-loving artist on a budget lives here"

Too bad it doesn't say "A happy, fun-loving artist and her boyfriend who are on a budget live here"  I haven't found the right pieces to make that statement yet.

But I love him. and he loves me. and he is happy with the new framed wall art.  :) and that makes me happy!

The bedroom is starting to come together, but right now it's no where near ready to be photographed.  So here is a picture of the kitchen after being cleaned and ready for it's photo shoot.  Sorry for the darkness, it was night time.

Life is Good

Home Tour - Our First Place

Okay, are you ready for a photo tour of BF's and my first place together?  I am not...well I am, but the place is not.  I am no where near "done" setting our place up...but anyway, here goes.
Enter into our humble abode and this is what you will see:

You don't actually walk right into that table there in the foreground with the lamp on it....I just took the picture from that angle.  That table happens to be my Grandmother's sewing machine.  I am so happy to finally have it in my space!  In Myrtle's honor, I've placed a photo of her right on top of it.  Each of the family members received this framed photo of her on the same day of her funeral.
Here is the living room from a few different angles.

Now in this next picture, we're looking back at the front door

And now for the dining room/sweat shop.  As you can tell, from the above pictures, this space is located right behind the sofa.

Yeah, I'm real deal and raw, I didn't bother to straighten up before snapping these pictures....
I've since added some ring clips to the curtains, I'm not sure that I love them....but done is right :)
Before

And After

I'll update with a shot or two of the kitchen once it's clean and ready for it's close-up :)  I'm real deal and raw, but the kitchen was just a plain mess and no one wants to see that...you might be able to catch a glimpse of it in a picture or two posted above.
So onward to the Bedroom

I've got some big plans for this dresser that is located on the opposite wall of the bed.  Oh and the bed, and the wall behind it, I've got plans for those as well!

Again, I'll need to update with some bathroom shots....It's missing something....some sort of artwork....

How about some dining a la fresca??  Well, you're gonna have to wait.

Here's a cute kitty shot instead

Thanks for joining me on the tour of our cozy lil corner of the Earth.  Hope you enjoyed.  Come back for some updates!  Oh and feel free to leave me a comment to let me know what you love or hate or just to say something random like "Skibbitybop"