Who knew

that this would become The Centre of my Universe. This piece of paper, the schedule of my gym, duly marked with oranges (the classes I love), greens (basic classes I have done) and yellows (classes I want to try at some point) is the basis for everything I do. I plan my meals, shopping, family time, even my quilting time around this schedule. Who knew; well, not me for sure.

I participated in a Zumba party at the gym on Sunday; 100 ladies (and 2 guys) in a huge hall, dancing for 1 hour and 35 minutes. No breaks, just dancing for an hour and a half. That’s how long I had to rest after grocery shopping on a good day and after my morning shower on a bad day a little over a year ago.

Heading into the Big & Strong program I had two goals: Getting my diabetes under control and being able to run around with grandson. I’ll finally be taking a diabetes class next month, but my blood sugar level is already going down, down, down and down. I’m thinking my weight is as well, but I’m not sure as I haven’t been on a scale since January.

And for the second goal – we are running like the wind. I’m not sure which one of us is the happier one, but I think it is him. And me.

Blank

My mind is totally blank; there’s nothing in there and I just want to sleep. I have been dragging my lazy body and soul to the gym the required 3 times this week though, the Monday Zumba class, a Basic Pilates class and a Makeover class. The Makeover class was one of the most exhausting, painful and fantastic hour I have spent sweating this year, and I’ll definitely be back in spite the fact that I’m sore pretty much everywhere today. If I’m not mistaken I’ll feel even worse tomorrow so I’m really looking forward to that.

I made it through three Make Do Months minus 3 days before I cracked. Why I couldn’t wait for 3 more days I do not know, but I believe it was a massive attack of post-holiday-restlessness or stress (whichever sounds like the best excuse). The first buy was fabric I need for some new class samples, but as soon as I broke that barrier I could not drive fast enough to my favorite thrift shop and get lost in the table cloth/fabric/ linen department. Oh well, almost 3 months of no shopping is worth celebrating with a little shopping, don’t you agree? I’m not done with the Make Do Months though; just taking a little break.

Hope to be back with some more brain/hand activity – soon…

Big & Zumbaing

Yohoo, I made it to my first Zumba class today after I missed the last one by 12 hours. I did a bit of research and found that the only place that has Zumba classes that fits my schedule is the sports centre at the University. After a quick phone call I found the perfect class for me, a ½ hour technique class. I’ll admit it; I did a lot of debating with myself whether I should go or not up until the minute I left the house. The idea of showing up in a class with a bunch of hot, young students half my age and half my size, when the only thing hot about me is upcoming hot flashes, well you get the picture.

I really wanted to try Zumba though, so I decided that it would either be a horrible experience with a fun story, or I would find a new way of exercising. I’m so glad I went; I loved it! I even stayed for the next class and made it through the whole thing! I have signed up for a 1 year membership at the gym and cannot wait until next week. I’ll probably not be able to walk tomorrow, but it’s still a great day in my book.


My soft and recycled circle project from this post is finally finished.
I spent some happy hours on the couch Saturday night adding a little bling. I haven’t done much beading, but it was fun, just adding one bead after the other. They made a lot of difference to the finished project, but I’m not sure they photograph very well. Grandson thought it was a perfect parking space for his cars, but I think I’d rather put it somewhere else…

Big & Silent

I have not been a very good blogging friend lately, and for this I am truly sorry. We have a big week in front of us which has taken up most of my attention and energy lately. However, you do not have to worry about me or my loved ones; we will all be OK; although positive thoughts and energy is always appreciated! When the dust settles, I’ll be back visiting blogs, leaving and answering comments.


On the positive side I’m happy to report that I’m still going strong at my exercise classes after I missed a whole month while sick. I still love my “new” water aerobics class and even the hour in the gym is fun after I got new shoes. I have signed up for a test lesson of Zumba on Tuesday morning and with any luck this might be my third thing of the week. I’m crossing my fingers that years of training jazz-ballet in my youth will help with the coordination of my arms and legs so that I don’t break anything or anyone. Honestly – I’d prefer almost anything over walking up and down a hill for half an hour.


We have had a fantastic spring weekend here and today started with a sunny morning walk and playground visits with husband and grandson. Life IS good.-)

Seeing Circles

I signed up for the Monthly Design Challenge over at Finki’s a few weeks ago, and this month’s theme is Seeing circles.

As my soft and thrifty Seeing circles project made from grandma squares still needs more work, I have made another piece: “Ode to a turkey neck”
Loosing weight is all good, but my former taut and wrinkle free spare chin is slowly growing into something soft and with a touch of flabby. The chances of me running into one of the characters from Ally McBeal are rather small, so I decided to pay tribute to my chin myself. Hey – if you cannot beat it, join it, right?

I even cut a big chunk out of my favourite circle fabric which I had saved for something special. I guess this was special enough. Are you seeing circles yet?


I also finished the two Big & Strong quilts from last week’s Friday Night Sew In: Big & Strong, Swimsuit Edition I and II.

Now I’ll add this to Amylouwho’s Sew & tell, pop over and get inspired.

Big & Surprised

The first part of the Big & Strong program is coming to an end, so we have been tested and poked and measured again. I have built around a ton of muscles and while I have been busy exercising and turning my life upside down to get my blood sugar level under control, I’m suddenly almost 32 pounds lighter. Adding the extra ton of muscles means I have lost somewhere around a ton+32 pounds (you do the math; tons and pounds do not mix very well in my sugar deprived brain).

Starting in February, I will exercise 4 times a week; two water aerobics classes, one Big & Strong class and one half-hour-iPod-accompanied-or-quilt-planning-hill-walking-by-myself-to-improve-my-O2-levels. Sounds manageable, right?

Stor & Sterk III

I have finally made a third small Big & Strong quilt (or as my friend Inger Marie named it, Penguins in snowstorm).
I gave the other two from this post to two of the trainers at the Big & Strong Christmas party in December. The third trainer was not there, so she will get her now. Like the other two, it’s made from scraps and quilted with straight(ish) lines. This time I had time to finish the binding by hand though.

Now I'll add this to Amylouwho's Sew & tell Fridays and Rosebud's Fabric Friday; pop over and have a look at all the wonderful projects that have been finished this week.

Big & Sagging

It’s been a while since my last post about the Big & Strong program, but that does not mean I have gone back to the coach potato mode. I’m still going strong although I missed a few weeks last month. All the hard work and giving up on sugar is paying off. My blood sugar level is half way down to where it should be, and my doctor is very happy with my progress – as am I:-) I’m not dreading all the temptations around the holidays any more. Eating sugar is just something I don’t do, like I don’t smoke and I don’t sky dive.

I don’t have any pants that fit; I’m back in the jeans that were too tight 2 years ago, and have to tie them around my waist to keep them from falling off. Seriously; I’m actually tying them with a repurposed piece of bias tape as I have not been able to find an elastic belt. I have bought elastics and a belt buckle to make my own in the proper Do It Yourself spirit; I’ll just have to finish all the Christmas projects first.

I’m still loving water aerobics, love it, love it, love it, even though I’m totally exhausted when we’re done. Yesterday we worked out to Christmas music, and “Driving home for Christmas” will never be the same after I have been jogging around in a heated pool in my fancy turquoise and blue swimsuit and a not-so-matching black and red swim cap. From mid January we will only meet once a week in the gym, so I have already signed up for another water aerobic class to fill up my quota of healthy fun.

Fitting in exercise 3 times a week during our 2 week holiday break will be a challenge though…

The Big & Strong Quilt

Spending so much time and energy on the Big & strong program, I just had to make a Big and Strong quilt. I drew this little guy some time ago, and now the quilt is finished. It’s rather raw, with fusible appliqué just roughly quilted down around the edges. The background is free motion quilted, and the lettering added by hand with pearl cotton embroidery yarn.

Big & sweetsmelling

Yesterday I was back in the pool. Yeeey; so much fun, and my fear of having to start all over again was unfounded; I was not in that bad shape after all.

Now, about the heading; last Tuesday I packed my swim gear, ready to go, including the mandatory ripe banana for keeping up your potassium level after exercising. Getting the picture here? When I opened the bag yesterday, the banana was still there, riper than ever, with a sickening sweet smell. My towels and stuff are in a separate plastic bag, but my swimsuit and –cap were reeking.

Well, no time for washing the stuff before class, so I wore the reeking swimwear. The smell came off the suit (replaced by the familiar scent of chlorine), but my head smelled as sweet as ever. Normally I take a quick shower after class and a proper one when I get home. Yesterday, however, my schedule got so tight, that I had to go to the doctor’s office for my flu shot, my hair reeking of banana. Well, a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do…


I have got to brag just a little; we have another painter in the family. Our soon to be 2 ½ year old grandson made a painting for the UN day October 24th (is that even a thing outside Norway?). The kindergarten invites family for an art show, and we get to buy the art. The money goes to a child they are sponsoring.

This is our little guy’s art. He is so infatuated with the colour blue. They had offered him lots of other colours, but no, he wanted blue. While all the other kids needed help around the edges, he did it all by himself. Proud grandma? Me??

Big & Shopping

I’m sad to report that while toes and ankle are still firmly attached, I have not been allowed to exercise for the last two weeks. Booooring. Apparently I overdid it the first week (who, me, overdoing something???) because it’s so much fun, and I hate to miss out on any of the program. All the others will now be superfit and I’ll have to start all over again.

Now, my ex-favourite way of self comforting was chocolate, and now that chocolate is history, I have been shopping. Again. The first week it was 2 Esprit bags (my favourite bags that I really do not need), this week it was pearl cotton embroidery floss. I am almost embarrassed to say I bought 125 skeins of pearl cotton in one day. A craft store close to my house offered their stock at 50% off as they are not going to carry pearl cotton any more.



As I have just been hooked on hand quilting with pearl cotton, I got some, then some, and at last some more.

I sure hope I’ll be back in the pool and the gym next week; it’s way too expensive not to…

Big & Sportstaped

Thank you, guys, for all the well wishes; I really do appreciate it!

I’m happy to report that the toes are still attached to my foot, and the foot to my ankle, properly reinforced with yards of sports tape. I have dutifully been exercising this week even though a little bit immobile. It’s only so much you can do with you arms in the pool, but the gym was great – spinning and Pilates.

I haven’t even given in to the chocolate cravings when I have been sitting here; blogging is a great substitute and is hereby highly recommended.

Big & Sprained

I can’t believe it! I fell in the stairs and sprained my foot! Somehow I got my left foot stuck on a step with the toes bent downwards, and tumbled down to the tiled floor. I was so shocked that all I could think of was that I’m going to miss a week of exercising (I know, I know; I can still use the sewing machine!).

So here we are, dutifully closing our little gate on top of the staircase so that grandson won’t fall down the stairs, and not giving Grandma a second thought...

Big & Swanlike

I cannot believe we are already done with 25% of our Big & Strong program! I have totally changed the way I feel about exercising. I started out with, oh well; it’s only 60 hours of sweating around. Now it’s, oh my…, it’s only 45 hours left!

Water aerobics is wonderful. Although moving around in the water for 50 minutes is really hard, every movement is soft and flowing and controlled. I haven’ felt that light and graceful in years; and I’m thinking this is how it feels to not to be heavy.

Maybe I should get a tutu?

Big & Smiling

Today I got my quilting mojo back! I finally got started on the workshop quilts, and (drum roll) I enjoyed it. I put my favourite sewing movie, Pride and prejudice (the BBC version with Colin Firth, yummy) which I have not seen (or heard) for a while, on. Sewing movies functions more like books on tape, and I have seen them all so many times, that I don’t need to pay much attention.
When I left my sewing room I made sure the machine was threaded with the next colour in line and the quilt right next to it, so I’m all set up to go next time I have a few hours.

Then, when I was all tense and achy after quilting, I had a great workout in the hot water pool. We worked a lot on the arms; very appropriate for quilters like me who need more strength. Now I am all relaxed and tired and happy and waiting for husband to bring home dinnerJ I can’t believe I forgot how much I love exercising…

Big & Stressed

It’s the start of week 3 of the program, and the exercising is great. I even take long walks voluntary just to make sure I do enough. Fitting all this extra time into my everyday life is however a bit stressful. The program itself takes about 8 hours a week with transportation and all, then there’s planning the meals, which I by the way is not that good at. All the information about what’s not good for me makes me pretty much terrified of eating almost anything, and the 6 meals a day are a challenge!

What’s probably most stressing me these days is all the quilting I should have done. I have this problem, you see, I often lose interest in a project when I see how it turned out. That’s why I never use patterns. All the models for my workshop – I love them, but I’m kind of done with them. And I need at least 5 of them finished. Soon!

What I really want to do is dig out one of my old needlepoint pieces and use it for a project. After Kaffe Fassett’s lecture (which was wonderful and ever so charming!), I was even more eager. Maybe I should treat myself to a little creative playtime before I attack the pile of workshop-tops…

Big & Sore

2/3 into the first week of the program:
I have muscles! I have muscles I don’t even have a slightest recollection of ever being there before! Why I know? Oh, I can feel them!
But anyway; so far, so good; the people are really nice, and it feels good (exhausting, but nevertheless well) just to have started. The best thing is that we are in this thing together, each with our own challenges and goals. I’ll have to admit that I had to tell myself “this is as bad as it’s going to get” a couple of times our first time in the gym, but it felt great afterwards. I would have preferred to take a nap when I came home, but grandson kept me up and running until I finally could put both him and myself to bed. I bet spending a few hours with him has as good impact on my health and blood sugar level as any other kind of exercise!

Yesterday I went to pick him up from day-care in my very flattering (!) exercise outfit, and loved to say “oh, I have just been working out”! I met with my wonderful, small (AKA The Nameless; well, that’s my name, the other 7 have their own names for it as we have not been able to come up with a real name) quilting group in the afternoon, and I had to get up from the chair more than ever to walk around and stretch my back, but I understand that’s good for you anyway.
And at last: good tidings from the doctor this morning! I don’t have to start testing my blood sugar level myself yet, he thinks it is very likely that I‘ll get the diabetes under control through the Big & Strong program. Taking control does feel good!!

Big & Strong

Oh happy day! Today I got accepted into a lifestyle & exercise program called Big & Strong. Let’s face it; I’m too big for my own good, and not nearly strong enough! The program lasts until the end of January, and we will exercise 3 times a week, and have lots of lessons and group discussions.
And the benefits are tremendous! Never mind that I’ll probably not be a diabetic. Never mind that I’ll feel much better, and can play with grandson without getting exhausted (well, he’s two, and no grown up human being on earth can keep up with him for a whole day). Never mind that life’s going to be a lot easier, and I’ll get to buy a new wardrobe. You see; I’ll have less tensions and aches and pains and then I will be able to quilt more; much more!!!
Jokes aside; I’m sure I’ll be in agony for the next few months, but I can’t wait to get started on my new and improved lifestyle. I already have given up on chocolate, so how bad can it be???
I’ll let you know…