Winter in the Midwest

I'M SICK OF IT!!!!!

We were in Michigan's Upper Peninsula this weekend.  They've gotten 210 inches of snow already.  Right now, in Appleton, it's -8 degrees, but feels like -34 degrees.  That is freaking crazy.  Why do I live here?  When I retire, I'm going south for the winters!

This picture was taken in Calumet, MI at about 9 a.m.  It's so gray there and just look at all that snow....!!

This weekend we don't have any hockey, so my plan is to finish some fleece pants for my kids and then work on some quilt squares that I'm way behind on!  Hopefully I'll have some pictures  from that!

Finished Tote Bag

This is the tote bag I made for my mom - first time I've attempted anything like this.  I didn't sew the straps on, because I didn't like them!  My mom can figure out what she wants to do with them!!  But, I was pretty impressed with myself for doing this and making it look pretty good.  There are obviously some issues with it, but hopefully no one will look too closely at it!!

Bloglovin

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11403345/?claim=qg3ucxunu3k">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Too Long

Yes, it's been way too long since I last posted.....not much going on!  I'm going to try to be better.  I just finished a quilted totebag for my mom for Christmas.  I need to get a picture of it.  My hubby and I have 4 weeks before we're out of the majority of our debt, so 2014 will be like a fresh start.  I have all these grand plans....

Run a half marathon....I better start training
Finish the quilt I started in May
Lose 40 pounds

Now that I have them in print, maybe that will be motivating.....I can only hope!

New Old Sewing Machine

Last night we finally got my sewing machine set up in C's room.  I got a whole bunch of spools of thread from my mom.  C was so excited to start sewing.  She's 7.  I told her I would be up there in a few minutes to get her sewing.  Before I knew it, she said she got it going.  Sure enough, she had threaded the thing and was sewing 2 pieces of fabric together!!  My mom has a small sewing machine for the kids to use that she's been teaching them on.  C was so proud of herself!  She made 2 beanbags filled with marbles.  She even wanted to sleep with them!  Then L got in on the action.  Keep in mind that he's a 10 year old hockey player.....he sewed 2 sets of 2 squares together and said he's going to make a mini quilt.  He wanted me to get the iron going, so that he could press the seams flat like I do!!  So funny.

I cut out squares the other night for a quilt I want to make for a friend.....tonight hopefully I can start sewing on them.

Been Awhile....

Wow, it's been awhile.  I've been slacking......  I haven't run since the Fall 50.  I figured out this week that it's 20 weeks until the Oshkosh half marathon.  So, I found an 8 week 5K plan and a 12 week half marathon plan.  I'm going to start tomorrow.  I really don't want to, but I know I have to.  I've probably gained 5 to 10 pounds, I'm feeling fat.

In the meantime, my mom and I have been making a quilt.  It's almost done.

This is before we sewed it together and added the borders.  My mom has quilted the top, except for the borders.  Hopefully we can finish that this weekend, then we'll just have the binding left.

Today we have 2 of L's hockey games.  It's been 2 weeks since he had a game, we've been kind of lost!!

This is all over the place, but back to working out.....I also want to do some resistance/weight work on the days I don't run.  I'm going to find some kind of workout online that I can do at home, just using my own body weight.  I figure if I write it on here, I'm more accountable to myself.

AND, I want to start a new quilt, to give to a friend for her new baby due in January.  I'm going to set up my sewing machine in C's room, since she doesn't sleep in there!  My mom got some new quilting stuff, so she's going to give me her cutting table and cutting mat!  Woo Hoo!!  Hopefully I can bring them home this weekend. 

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!

5 Days

5 days until The Fall 50 relay in Door County.  I can't wait!  I'm doing legs 5 & 8.  Leg 5 is about 4 miles, with a big hill at about mile 1.5.  Leg 8 is about 6 miles.  I just feel bad that I'm the slowest one on the team.  Not sure why I beat myself up about that.  I did my last "long" run on Friday - 6 miles.  It was such a nice night....

I stopped to take a picture of a bunny, too, but that one didn't turn out as well!!

My hubby's out of town, so I'm stressing about how/when I'm going to get a run in this week.  Maybe I won't.  Tonight is all errands....haircuts, pants shopping, hockey shopping, grocery shopping.  Sounds like an expensive night, too!!  Then tomorrow night and Thursday night are hockey and Wednesday night is dance.  Then we leave after work on Friday for the relay.

Every Monday I say that I'm going to start eating better again.  I haven't gained any weight from the 30 I lost, but I'm really not eating the greatest.  I'm all about convenience right now, which translates to poor choices.  COME ON, GET IT TOGETHER JULIE.