cotton candy bubbleicious hot pink & scale report

I found a great deal on a sweater at Target after Christmas. 

Problem - although I loved the pop of hot pink stripes in it, there was too much gray in the sweater. Made the purchase in optimism.

Answer - find a scarf matching that hot pink stripe. Impossible.

Problem - matching the hot pink color. No scarf found.

Answer - change departments. I spy cotton candy bubbleicious hot pink!

Problem - how to turn this little girl's shirt into something scarf-able, preferably without having to dig out my dusty sewing machine in the faraway attic.

Answer - with a flick of the wrists and double turn I bring you a shirt makeover!

A scarf that almost looks like it has a little collar with it! Just for fun!! Shall I pinterest it?

>>>>>>>>>>

In keeping with all things pink and on the subject of scales, ahem......

My taste buds succumbed to these sweet little morsels of delicious sweet Cherry Bread. By day's end, I had nibbled my way through the entire piece. Thank you, Bob Evans bakery.

While one piece of sweet bread didn't derail my scales, the mindset shift did. 

Just a matter of time...

Last Monday morning, as my daily habit, I sluggishly stepped onto the scales. I gained 3.6 pounds in just about one day!

Here is my facebook posting one week ago:

"Uh oh. Football game day not good. Gained 3.6 pounds by eating 3 slices pizza, 8 Chip Ahoy cookies, 3 bowls potato chips and cake and more. Just keeping my record and journey honest. Old habits resurrected. Today? Back to one ingredient foods and surrender. If you have a struggle today, you're not alone."

I'm on shifting sand here. Shifting emotions, fluctuating scale readings, oft crumbling resolve.

It has taken me all week to "recover" from my day of mindless frantic eating. Today the scale reads down 1.4 pounds.

Curled up in my favorite chair this morning I read some words from the Word that stir within me - overwhelmed and entangled but clinging to the Rock, our Stronghold. (Psalm 18) 

Hope whispers. 

I pray you hear God's whispers in your story today. I do.

>>>>>>>>>

I'll close with some happenings at my house. Shared nuts and fruit/sweet tray with an "old" friend. Pleasant afternoon hours rehearsing memories and blessings.

Getting favors ready for church Host Party gathering this week. Playing with tablescape, dinner for 16. 

This is the second time I have purchased a pad of scrapbooking paper at Walmart to use as placemats. 50 sheets of maybe a dozen coordinating papers for $10. I tell you, these beautiful papers have changed my life (insert smile!) Though I'm not a "scrapper", this find has revolutionized my creative juices in setting pretty tables.  

Have a CHERRY-O day, wherever your place is set!

Thank you for visiting!
margi

monkjo@live.com  Always happy to respond to comments/questions!

your piece of the pie

One fork. One bite.

For the past 12 months that was my pizza size serving. I don't remember once denying myself! 

It's all a matter of perspective. 

With that word in mind, an official "Sparrow Welcome" into 2013! Here we sit eight days already into this new year. Eight days of bombardment of goal setting, resolution keeping, habit changing, cardio home workouts, gym memberships and more new diet plans all designed to make us "better people."

A good friend of mine gave me this necklace when I finished my 2012 weight loss journey (her daughter makes beautiful jewelry). 

Sparrow landed. And sparrows love trees!

Perspective. Landing. Trees. (Hold on, I promise to tie this post together.)

I have been asked this question often: "What is your plan to maintain your 118.2 pound weight loss?"

Answer: "I'm workin' on it." A plan, that is.

Here is my very early update: I weigh in every day and record my weight. Three weeks out and as of this morning I am under by 2 pounds. Whew - gives me a little wiggle room as I try on new foods and try to figure this out.

I'm taking a little advice from a tree.

1- Stand tall and proud.

2- Go out on a limb.

3- Remember your roots.

4- Drink plenty of water.

I'm not sure what your piece of the pie you are challenged with in this new year. A little like completing a puzzle, gaining some perspective always advances the progress.

When I look at the slice of pizza pictured above (for all who know me, I LOVE pizza and it is one of the foods that calls my name most often), does it look small? Or does it look like JUST ENOUGH?

I remind myself often (very often) that there will always be enough.

There will always be another pizza pie. And more importantly, while perched in the tree, I am reminded that there is enough grace, comfort, forgiveness, refuge, love, companionship, and promises all from God's own hand that will never run out!

Maybe these inspired words will touch your life like they have mine:

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
He drew me out of deep waters.
He brought me out into a spacious place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me. (selected from Psalm 18)


Twelve months loom ahead of us. A year ago this day, here is what my chalkboard looked like. Began with 7.2 pounds lost week 1.

Whatever small goal or big dream you have in your heart this 2013, go out on a limb. You are in good company!Together we stretch tall and remember our roots.

(And just for the record, is the journey of change and surrender ever going to be easy?  Oh I wish. But that will be another post.)

I'm signing in my first posting of the year in size medium sweats, all comfy and cozy, geared up for the challenges ahead.

With water bottle in flight,
margi

monkjo@live.com  I always respond to comments or questions or if you plain old need some "you can do its" !!!!!