It's just as laborious as packing. In fact, one could even argue that it's more laborious given that you have to set everything up and find a new home for it all. We moved from 2500 sq feet into approx 1600 sq feet and I am realizing that I should have done a better job of getting rid of stuff on the Alaskan end. How ridiculous it is that I should have so much junk! I think my clothing reproduced in shipment (nothing better to do for 6 weeks) as I have a bigger closet and my hubby has his own now and we still can't fit it all.
My kitchen is smaller and the cabinets here are designed poorly. I have tall skinny cabinets that hold basically one or two glasses at the most. Okay, I just looked up and saw that there are six plastic wine glasses on one shelf, but what about the margarita glasses? The coffee mugs? Nowhere for the plates to go but I do have a counter. We won't even discuss my "sewing room" which is really the eat in dining area. All I can say is that I will be in this process for some time. I think I will take my sewing machine in for cleaning now as it will probably be done before I get everything unpacked anyway.
How long before he retires?????
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Brian's Quilt
This is my current project - a quilt for Brian. I am using Minick & Simpson's "The Hamptons" collection. I had bought a jelly roll last fall and was going to do a rail fence, but I have since decided to make a Crazy Quilt. I have some wonderful Navy, Red & White sulky thread to do the decorative stitching. I plan on finishing this soon as I need to turn in my Bernina for tuning and cleaning. I have to take it to Louisville (52 miles away) and they have said the turn around is approximately 3 weeks. Thank God I didn't sell that Singer! I will post more pics soon.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Bought a new scale
I was debating on whether to get a scale or not after ridding myself of the one we had in AK. I hadn't weighed myself since we left the house in AK and I know I have lost some weight during the trip and all, because my clothes were fitting differently. It was driving me crazy not knowing how much though. So I broke down and got one at Target. It calculates your weight, Water (Hydration) Precentage and Body Fat Percentage. It's useful in determining whether the weight you are losing is fat and if you are increasing muscle.
So I got on it this morning and I weigh 223 exactly. It was a bit comforting to know that I have lost 12 pounds since the last time I weighed myself in AK. My BMI is 36, which means I am obese; my body fat percentage is 25.6%, not so comforting to know that since our body's weight is made up of anywhere from 55-75% water; and since excessive fat can mean increased dehydration because fat has less water than lean muscle, this in turn can hinder weight loss. So, I am obese and dehydrated. A great place to start.
Those of you who know me, know that I have spent the last five years working in a pool teaching water aerobics and swimming lessons so I am not necessarily looking forward to doing that again. It isn't working well anyway. I'm not a gym person either, I get totally insecure seeing all the buff people working out hardly breathing while I am sweating like a pig and puffing like I just smoked a pack of cigs (I don't smoke, quit on my birthday, 1999).
I have been walking the dogs here and there, but I need to be more consistent for all of our sakes. Yesterday, I discovered a path that's about 1.5miles around the neighborhood which I enjoyed and I think the dogs did too. I think I am going to start with once or twice a day because it takes about 25-30 minutes to walk the course and we do have to stop for them to sniff and potty and all the other miscellaneous stuff that dogs do. My biggest hurdle is controlling two 70lbs dogs who have the energy of 20. My shoulders feel like they are going to get torn out of the sockets and my hands and wrists get sore from gripping the leads. I have to say, they have gotten better but we need some more work. But I know I need to do it - it's part of the plan.
So that's my plan for exercise right now, walking and unloading 19,000lbs of household goods when they get here. Oh, and eat less junk and more vegetables.
So I got on it this morning and I weigh 223 exactly. It was a bit comforting to know that I have lost 12 pounds since the last time I weighed myself in AK. My BMI is 36, which means I am obese; my body fat percentage is 25.6%, not so comforting to know that since our body's weight is made up of anywhere from 55-75% water; and since excessive fat can mean increased dehydration because fat has less water than lean muscle, this in turn can hinder weight loss. So, I am obese and dehydrated. A great place to start.
Those of you who know me, know that I have spent the last five years working in a pool teaching water aerobics and swimming lessons so I am not necessarily looking forward to doing that again. It isn't working well anyway. I'm not a gym person either, I get totally insecure seeing all the buff people working out hardly breathing while I am sweating like a pig and puffing like I just smoked a pack of cigs (I don't smoke, quit on my birthday, 1999).
I have been walking the dogs here and there, but I need to be more consistent for all of our sakes. Yesterday, I discovered a path that's about 1.5miles around the neighborhood which I enjoyed and I think the dogs did too. I think I am going to start with once or twice a day because it takes about 25-30 minutes to walk the course and we do have to stop for them to sniff and potty and all the other miscellaneous stuff that dogs do. My biggest hurdle is controlling two 70lbs dogs who have the energy of 20. My shoulders feel like they are going to get torn out of the sockets and my hands and wrists get sore from gripping the leads. I have to say, they have gotten better but we need some more work. But I know I need to do it - it's part of the plan.
So that's my plan for exercise right now, walking and unloading 19,000lbs of household goods when they get here. Oh, and eat less junk and more vegetables.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Brian
The thing about babies is, they have such a purity in their smile. They are genuinely amazed at everything. When I look at Brian my heart just fills up with love and joy. Everything I might be worried about disappears in his smile, regardless of who he's smiling at.
Gentle Ben
He's just the kind of dog you would want on a long hike or during a cold long winter. We met Ben in Montona in May. His owner said he was born in Hawaii. Can you imagine? He looks just like Rachel's pup, Buddy, except he's bigger and furrier. What a beautiful guy!
Monday, June 16, 2008
First Steps
Okay - so I needed a new washer and dryer because mine crapped out in Alaska and we left them there. I have wanted a front load washer for a while and I had been researching which ones were the best in energy efficiency and reduced water usage. It was a toss up between 3 sets and we decided to go with this lovely set because the price was right, the energy efficiency ratings were excellent and the reputation of Maytag itself.
We got them on sale at Lowe's and the delivery was free. The energy cost for the year, estimated doing 8 loads of laundry a week, is $18 for the dryer and $27 for the washer. I figure it will be a bit more given all the fabric I need to wash from my stash. Maytag has an excellent reputation for durability and function. They look great too! My sister-in-law, Tracey, has an old set in her basement, probably at least 30 years old, and she says she can't kill it.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Love
My nephew Aaron and his fiance Ashlynn. I took this a year ago when I visited Minnesota with Rachel. They are a beautiful couple.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Healthy, Wealthy, & Wiser. And so it begins...
...this is the home in which I will spend the next year (at least) working through a gazillion pounds (actually 19,040) of stuff accumulated in the past 24 years (possibly only the last 6 we were in Alaska). My goal is to become trim and slim, mean and lean, make fighting weight, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
So I should start with the obvious goal - work through an obscene amount of fabric by making quilts and finishing them. I will apprise you of my plans here and will use my "Finally Finished" and "Unifinished Offerings" to post progress.
Another goal is to reduce my waste and I've already begun an aggressive recycling program here. I have my bins for sorting and I have already gotten the down low on what can be taken from my house and what I will need to take to the center on a weekly basis.
It's next to the commissary so I should be able to stay consitant on this goal. I have also installed a water filter on the tap so no more bottled water, only what I put in my nice alunimum refillable one. I even bought permanent straws to use until I fix that hole in my lip that causes liquids to drip on my shirt. I am going to be constantly searching for other ways I can reduce our waste and will post as I learn.
Another obvious goal is to reduce my wasteline, bustline and my triple chin. I have tried so many diets so I am going back to Weight Watchers online and I am going to get more physical. More on that later.
Another goal is to become debt free and to reduce my spending. I have made some headway, but I will become more aggressive in this endeavor as well.
I want this year to be about growth and seeing all the possiblities of my future, whatever that may reveal. I turned 44 a few days ago and I think Ihave been in the midst of a type of mid-life crisis. And no one can blame me, I mean, my God, I became a Grandma last year! Can't think of too many things that will shake a person up more than that. Now as you may already know, I love that little guy so deeply and completely and I am so over whatever sent me down that path, but I find it's helpful to know where you've been in order to help you go forward.
And going forward is the plan! Please feel free to join me in my adventure and comment whenever you feel like you want or need to. I am human and I can accept that I have many areas to improve in, so if you need to judge, be fair and be constructive, otherwise don't bother.
Well, wish me luck, say prayers for me, send postive vibes, or anything else in support - I'll take anything you send.
More soon!
Laura
So I should start with the obvious goal - work through an obscene amount of fabric by making quilts and finishing them. I will apprise you of my plans here and will use my "Finally Finished" and "Unifinished Offerings" to post progress.
Another goal is to reduce my waste and I've already begun an aggressive recycling program here. I have my bins for sorting and I have already gotten the down low on what can be taken from my house and what I will need to take to the center on a weekly basis.
It's next to the commissary so I should be able to stay consitant on this goal. I have also installed a water filter on the tap so no more bottled water, only what I put in my nice alunimum refillable one. I even bought permanent straws to use until I fix that hole in my lip that causes liquids to drip on my shirt. I am going to be constantly searching for other ways I can reduce our waste and will post as I learn.
Another obvious goal is to reduce my wasteline, bustline and my triple chin. I have tried so many diets so I am going back to Weight Watchers online and I am going to get more physical. More on that later.
Another goal is to become debt free and to reduce my spending. I have made some headway, but I will become more aggressive in this endeavor as well.
I want this year to be about growth and seeing all the possiblities of my future, whatever that may reveal. I turned 44 a few days ago and I think Ihave been in the midst of a type of mid-life crisis. And no one can blame me, I mean, my God, I became a Grandma last year! Can't think of too many things that will shake a person up more than that. Now as you may already know, I love that little guy so deeply and completely and I am so over whatever sent me down that path, but I find it's helpful to know where you've been in order to help you go forward.
And going forward is the plan! Please feel free to join me in my adventure and comment whenever you feel like you want or need to. I am human and I can accept that I have many areas to improve in, so if you need to judge, be fair and be constructive, otherwise don't bother.
Well, wish me luck, say prayers for me, send postive vibes, or anything else in support - I'll take anything you send.
More soon!
Laura
Sunday, June 8, 2008
June's Quilt
I FINALLY FINISHED June's quilt. I pieced all the blocks and rows together in Portland, OR on the 18th of May. I missed most of Quilt Market because of my poor planning. Thank God I brought my sewing machine - definitely used it for the good. I actually had to redo the rows because in my haste to get it done, I was not careful and allowed the quilt to hang off the sewing table which caused the rows to get progressively uneven. Anyhow, another blessing was that Sarah was there and she explained what went wrong and after I unsewed it, repinned it, and began again; she held the bulky quilt up while I resewed the rows.
I have learned a ton with this quilt. So, after getting the binding on, I planned to handsew it on the drive through Washington, Montana and North Dakota. Unfortunately, I succumbed to problem of dizziness while trying to focus on such small stitches (my hand quilting is not so small) so I put it aside until we arrived in Minnesota on the 2oth. I then hand bound the quilt over the next four nights and on Saturday morning, I sewed the label on. I had it gift wrapped (another story) and put it on June's entertainment center for the party on Sunday.
McDonell Family Reunion - May 25, 2008
Grandchildren and Jim & June
McDonell Family Reunion - May 25, 2008
The entire clan
The entire clan
June looking at her quilt.
This was the only picture I was able to take because I ended up crying like a baby! I never realized how much of my life was in that quilt. Almost my entire Alaskan experience and for some of you, you know how that has been. I meant to get out the quilt later to photograph it but between all the family obligations and the bad weather, next thing I knew, it was time to hit the road for Fort Knox, KY. I will definitely photograph it on my next trip.
For now, here's some shots from Portland.
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