Revised measurement strategy

I just found this site that explains how to take body measurements. I think I've been doing a few wrong, so I'm going to re-do it according to Your Total Health.

Also, I realized I have the flu, not a common cold. The symptoms I have are definitely in the flu category. That sucks.



...measurements, new are bold...

Weight 167
Bust 37.5"
Chest 32"
Waist 32.5"
Hips 44.5"
R. Thigh 26"
L. Thigh 26"
R. Knee 17.75"
L. Knee 17.5"
R. Calf 16"
L. Calf 15.75"
R. Bicep 13.5"
L. Bicep 13.5"
Neck 14"
Wrist 6.4" Total Inches 312.9"

BMI 30.5
Body Fat 27%

I don't know about the waist measurement. Where my "waist" is the smallest is above my belly button about an inch. It's a huge difference from where I was measuring, which was just below my belly button. It's crazy to realize the difference in circumference around my body within just a couple inches. Wow... 6.5" difference on my waist measurement. According to the chart I'm using to figure out my body fat%, I'm now well into the average category. That is just odd to me. Oh well...I don't know what to do about it...

Stats Update

This really is a bit humiliating, and I don't have to put this on my blog, but I am a woman driven by accountability. The last time I documented my weight and measurements I said I was going to do a weekly update of weight, stats, and pictures...yeah...that didn't happen.

I have lost a little bit of weight since then, not intentionally at all, but it is weight lost nonetheless. So, I just want to write it down so I don't dare backtrack back into the heavier side of life. ;)

Here are my June Physical Stats & Goals

My goals were to:

• drop 45 lbs
• lose 40" of body fat
• get my body fat between 18% and 22%
• get my BMI to 24

My Current Measurements as of Today:

Weight 167.4
Waist 39"
Hips 42"
Chest 37.5"
Ribcage 32"
R. Thigh 25.5"
L. Thigh 26"
R. Calf 15.5"
L. Calf 15.25"
R. Bicep 13.5"
L. Bicep 13.5"
Neck 14"
Wrist 6.4"
BMI 30.5
Body Fat 43%

Total inches measured= 280.15

Progress Report on Goals:

• Lost 8 of 45 lbs
• Lost 11.1" of 40" of body fat
• Body Fat% down 6.16%...21% to go to reach 22% Total Body Fat
  
• BMI at 30.5....goal is 24

I'm pretty excited to see my progress! Now imagine if I actually tried to lose some weight...exercising and eating right... :) Sorry, I don't feel like doing a picture just yet...maybe after I shower.

New Pattern/New Project

Today I received in the mail a pattern I bought from PatternMania on Etsy.com.

Here's the picture:

Description:

Design 413 transfers to make an embroidered 63" x 91" Old Fashioned Car Quilt. Each block measures 12" square.

Included:
1908 Chevrolet
1904 Oldsmobile
1904 Studebaker
1912 Packard
1896 Ford
1893 Duryea
1911 Model T
1908 Ford
1904 Ford
1903 Cadillac
1908 Buick
1909 Studebaker

Condition: Very Good, unused.


I'm going to make a quilt for Patrick. I'm super excited to join his ranks as a vintage products lover and consumer. As I complete blocks I'll post pictures. :)

My First Embarkment on Redwork Embroidery

I thought I had posted this on my blog, but apparently it didn't happen! :) I am so excited about this project I did for my mom for Christmas. It took quite a bit of time, and I loved every minute of it!!!

The pattern I used is: Aunt Martha's Sunbonnet-Mother & Daughter, Too 3948. I used embroidery floss #321. The main pattern part I used 2 threads and a normal stitch. For the outside border (square or circle) I used 6 threads and the split stitch. I didn't sign any of them, because I think I'm horrible with creating my own letters...something I'll have to get over. Anyway, this is the collection.


I liked this one because of the socks. I don't know if they're getting ready for bed and going to read a book, or what?? Doesn't matter...it's cute.



My mom loves to quilt, so this pattern was perfect to add to the collection.




Mom also loves to bake and cook and passed that passion onto me. So, I love this pattern, Mother and Daughter with their creations at a Thanksgiving (I guess) table.


My mom also plays the piano beautifully. I never took any lessons, but I enjoy listening to her play. This was my first time doing french knots (for the music notes). You can tell (or at least I can tell) that I got more comfortable toward the middle and end of the notes. The top left notes aren't as full and comfortable looking. Great learning experience!


So, that's my latest project. I can't wait to get started on my next one...once I figure out what to do. :)

New Years Affirmations

Rather than write down New Year Resolutions, I'd like to focus on affirmations instead...

I am a beautiful daughter of God.
I am blessed with many talents and love to share those talents with others.
I am a valued part of my families...in my marriage, my immediate and extended families, and Patrick's family.
I am a healthy and active woman.
I am a dedicated worker.
I make regular efforts to be a more spiritual and kind individual.
I create peace and happiness all around me and especially within myself.
I enjoy all of life's moments, appreciating the lessons life provides for me to learn.

Back in the Saddle

I'm getting back in the Mary Kay saddle again! I'm starting small and simple, and I hope by the end of 2008 I will be working Mary Kay "full time" anticipating the arrival of a new baby in the family. :) I hope.

Mr. and Mrs. Largin......Shotgun Style :)

Here is my lovely fairy tale...



Once upon a time there lived a lovely couple, Patrick and Alison. They had been engaged for just over 5 months and wedding plans were a topic of frequent discussion. Several ideas were considered, but alas, to their frustration, none were panning out.

A couple days before their planned trip to Phoenix for Christmas, the two lovebirds decided to wed during the trip. First they thought of Mesquite, NV. Alison called the casinos there to see what wedding options there were... The wedding planner at one chain of casinos would be out of town until after the first of the year. The wedding planner at another was helpful, but they didn't have the low-scale options that the couple were looking for. She gave Alison a phone number to call a guy who could marry them at his home. This wasn't an ideal option either. Next, Patrick called places in Laughlin, NV and found similar disappointing results.

That evening after work, Alison was at a coworker's birthday celebration. Several people had heard that the couple was planning to wed the next day, and Alison shared the disappointments in trying to plan a small ceremony. Just then, Carl, another coworker, piped in that he was an ordained minister and would love to perform the ceremony for them! Alison called Patrick and they immediately started planning.

The next evening, Saturday, December 22nd, Patrick and Alison and a small group of close friends went to the Thaifoon restaurant in Salt Lake City and were married by Carl. It was a beautiful and simple ceremony, and a first for the restaurant! :) Here are some pictures of the ceremony:


Alison and Patrick waiting for the elevator at The Gateway.


Patrick, Carl, and Alison at the very beginning of the ceremony.



Just married!!! Our first kiss as husband and wife. :)


Just before our celebratory toast. :) What a cute couple!


Our wedding cake. Shay and Tia got them for us...with such short notice they had to split "Congratulations Alison + Patrick" onto two cakes. :)


We couldn't be happier to finally be married! We're excited about going into 2008 united in marriage and living a life full of blessings and love. Thanks to everyone, especially Carl, who helped us pull this together. We are blessed with so many wonderful people in our lives.

The End

***UPDATE 1/9/08***
I didn't realize that "Shotgun Wedding" implies that the bride is pregnant. :) No, I am not pregnant. It was a quick elope-style wedding rather than a Shotgun wedding. Hopefully babies are in the near future, though!!!

It's Official!!!

Patrick and I are MARRIED!!! I'll post more pictures and the story later...just wanted to get this cute picture on here. :)

I just need to vent

I absolutely hate drama. I try to live a drama-free life, which sometimes creates drama. For example, there tends to be a lot of drama tied to my family. So my solution is to avoid the drama by avoiding the people. They get pissed.....and....more drama. And to be fair, drama is typically connected to having a vagina. Or occasionally to being gay. I can say that because I have a brother who is gay and a best friend who is gay, so no one get offended. Tonight at work there was way too much drama. It wears me out. So, sparing all the stupid details, my solution is to be polite to everyone, but selective about who I trust and who I call a friend. Because people like drama...especially when it is at others' expense.

The end. Ugh.

Seriously

Why do relationships have to be so difficult? I know "The Secret" would say that I am bringing this on myself by focusing my energy on the difficult side of relationships. I partly agree. And the other side of me thinks that even if I focused on how "perfectly" everything is going, I'd still be dealing with the same old aggravating shit. I really have no idea if I will be married this year. At this point, I almost don't care. I'm back at the stage of "waiting a little longer to make sure it's absolutely what we want to do." I know I'm a pain in the ass, and so is every man out there... it's all about patience, love, and compromise. Ugh...rock and hard spot. With a soft squishy warm cuddly heart in there too...I wouldn't be here if that wasn't part of the equation. Duh.