Janna Wilson

The Tweaker Strikes Again!

"tweaker" - name my pal Donna used to refer to me as.  Quite frankly I wonder what kind of designer I'll ever end of being because it just feels like there's always room for improvement?  Therefore I could potentially work on a project forever.  Thank goodness for deadlines!

I just posted the above into Etsy.  I'm just gradually posting fun thing designs in Etsy-- as I do them or as I get the ads formatted.  Not necessarily because I intend on selling a truck load...mostly because its fun to play store, right?!  LOL!  I did get the scallop idea perfected between computer + design cutter and I decided I just didn't like yesterday's version.  So I took it down and I'll "tweak" some more.  Today I love.

Pretty sweet :)

I'm pretty pumped about my walking...over 6 miles in the last two days.  I'll hit the road again tomorrow to try to get another 3 or 3 1/2.  I'd like to see 11 or 12 miles this week again!  I am SO loving the mapmyrun app for the iPhone...so great for tracking progress, distance speed.  It's made such a difference for me.  Gosh...its really amazing how great exercising makes me feel.  I really hope that I can get some of this poundage off and see that sweet ### on the scale before the summer is out.  I'm even thinking about going again tonight...after my dinner settles ;)

We've had a fun couple of weeks...sweet friend Tammy came to stay and it was a hoot!  Kiddos swam and played and Tammy and I dreamed up all kinds of adventures!  We've been to the Janet Huckabee Nature Center twice in the last week!   Very neat place to visit.  The staff and interns are awesome too.  Lots to do...the kids shot BB guns, we've went canoeing, we saw them feed the snakes and turtles, and even went fishing...though I think there's only 2 tiny fish and a few turtles in the lake there!  LOL!  All in all, it is a REALLY neat place.  If you're local definitely check it out.  Its nice and cool inside too ;)

Very fun!

Okay- better go for now!  Have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

 

me3THREE

Still in my workout clothes...yuck.  But I had to write down what I was thinking.

Excercise does my body SO good.  Even if I didn't lose a pound...it ministers to my mind, my body and my spirtuality.  Its just for me.  Its one of the only things in life that is just that...a me thing.  So good. {Insert warning--this is going to be a totally self absorbed post! LOL!!  This is just personally speaking.}  I was thinking as I was walking this morning...about the number three.  I think about it alot.  About how it pertains to me, of course it has religious connotations as well..which also pertains to me.

I was thinking about three things I've accomplished...thinking about where you've come from can SO inspire you to keep going...going...

I'm a dreamer...here's three dreams that have come true.

1. I've had the honor and privelege to work with some of the finest folks in the paper craft industry.  Wow.  Many of them have blessed me in so many ways.

2. I've been given a huge blessing and have went back to school. I just got some great news about this on Friday-- and well, it was HUGE!  I feel like God is saying...yes, you are going in the right direction :)

3. I've lost and kept off about 30 lb in the last two years. 

Three things/people that inspire/d me...

1. My Dad.  A couple of years ago...his blood pressure was crazy and it was scary.  It was what made me get serious about losing weight.  (btw he is a lot better now)

2. Prayer.  I pray about everything.  Mostly that God leads me and I follow...down the right path.  I even pray about being fit...because I think God wants us to be healthy...its important to take care of our family, chase kids, etc. 

3. Old ways.  I like the old ways. 

Like I said...I'm a dreamer...here's three things I want to be able to say I've done in another three years.

1. I want to hold a college degree in my hands.

2. I want to LOSE that other thirty pounds :|

3. I want to be stronger, fitter and healthier than ever when I meet 40.

Three things that I know.

1. Life's WAY too short.  Enjoy it.

2. Being a mama is the hardest job in life...next to being a daddy ;)

3. There's no sense in letting other people make you unhappy.  YOU are in control of your own happiness...except of course, when your hormones are OUT OF CONTROL...then, well-- you're definitely not ;) LOL!

Three things I constantly struggle with:

1. Time management.

2. Trying to walk the line as a Christian.

3. Trying to be a good mother.

Three things I'm so thankful for:

1. Gifts.  God gives us all a gift...I'm sure of it.  I'm thankful for mine and just want to be able to use them for his will.

2. My health.  My family's health.  I'm so thankful that I can go out and walk two miles.  I know that in and of itself is a blessing.

3. That I don't have to make a long drawn out complicated plan for my life...its already done.

 

And thats all I have to say...just writing it down...it was floating in my head.

 

in control?

Seldom does it happen, but occasionally, I feel like I've got a handle on life.  Today...I feel that way.  Oh, there are things that need to be done...the to do list is long as usual :)--laundry, work outside, baking for the upcoming Relay for Life Friday, general housework, need to catch up the checkbook, etc...but overall I feel a sort of calm.  Hope it's not the one before the storm!?

I got in high gear last week and started working on my dieting too.  Feels good to be in CONTROL of this too.  Honestly, I'm really doing a VERY low cal, crash diet balancing protein, fat and carbs. LOL!  --so not funny, but I want some results and we'll see what happens.  I've maintained my 28 lb. weight loss (within just about 5 lb) for about eight months.  I got complacent and just haven't taken it to the next level...I'm serious about it now.  Very.  In fact, it's DANG HARD!  But I'm seeing results, so I'm happy with that.  I still have 1 1/2 month to kick my brother in laws tail in our wager! 

Today, I'm going to get my house chores done and tidy up the Whimsy Shoppe --it's a HUGE mess of thread and fabric scraps after I shipped out lots of these last week!

(this is the black damask pattern of my Scrapbook Storage Slipcovers)

Love making these...such a great addition to inspire YOUR scrapbook space and stow your stuff!

This one is home with the sickies today...I'm betting she'll be miraculously better by noon or so :)  Pretty girl.

 

She will be adding these gorgeous flower accessories to the Whimsy Shoppe soon! 

Eleven going on...well, just growing WAY too fast. 

Cash and I are off to check out seedlings and then get busy with the rest of the day!

Hope you have a great one! xoxo

weighing in...snowed in

Goodness...I think I'm finally back to normal!  I was laid out all last week --with Bronchitis.  Finally got it kicked and trying to catch up!  One good thing that came of the sickies...was that it helped my weight loss!  LOL!  You know me, I'm an optimist!  I'm about 3 lb from a HUGE, MAJOR goal now!  So losing a couple of pounds during my sickness definitely fueled my weight loss motivation!!!  I'm really enjoying this DVD by Jillian Michaels -- it's 20 minutes a day and even though I didn't do it all last week (I would have coughed up a lung) it's fierce and yet totally do-able.  I think you can get them for like $10 bucks at Target too.

I was supposed to go to Cali Friday night but my flight was cancelled...because of this...

BIG SNOW!!!!

...we made a snowman with the neighbors! (it wasn't the best snow for rolling but the kids managed)

...threw lots of snow balls!!!

...sledded with the neighbors behind the 4-wheeler!

...so much FUN!!!

 

...had to taste test the white stuff!!!

 
Someone said this was the best snow since 2000, I think.  It was about 5 inches.  Sara was only a toddler then...so this was like the first for all the kids...it wasn't bitterly cold...so they played out in it for HOURS!!!  We played a little too!  So, I'm sure glad I didn't miss this.  :)  Cali can wait a couple of weeks.

It's all melting away now...Cash is so disappointed.  The Farmers Almanac says we'll get more snow this month!  We'll see!

Small Snack-rifices

Hey "LOSER" Mental note to self:

I can make small sacrifices to make a big, HUGE difference in calorie intake. 

Like:  we had chili and rice last night for dinner-- total comfort food with a big bang of protein.  Normally, I lace chili with a sensible amount of Fritos or tortilla chips, yummy gooey cheese and a dollop of sour cream.  Last night, I was good:  I had my 1 cup (measured portion) of chili over 1/2 c rice with a tablespoon of sour cream.  I saved several hundred calories and still enjoyed a great, satisfying comfort meal.  I spent the calories I saved on dessert which was my favorite guilty but perfectly sensible pleasure of late,

my QUICK DELISH YOGURT PARFAIT (Cash LOVES this too):

• 1/2  cup Dannon Light and Fit vanilla yogurt (55 cal) (I get the big tub at the grocer because we go through a lot of the stuff)

• 1/2 cup blueberries (frozen/thawed) (35 cal) (I get the ones at Aldi's they are awesome and only about $3.50 per bag and did I mention they are AWESOME!  Cash LOVES blueberries too)

• a sprinkle of chopped walnuts (leave these off to keep this yummy snack super LOW CAL)

Here was my SNACK-rifice for this morning:

For breakfast, this am I had two eggs and my yogurt parfait.  A cup of yogurt + cup of blueberries is A LOT so if you like to feel like you are eating a larger quantity use this amount (mix it up with strawberries) and this is a huge breakfast on its own.  And though it's not quite the same without the nuts, I sacrificed because I knew I would save quite a few calories.  Walnuts are high in calories (200 per 1/4 cup) but something that is a great source of protein and well, I LOVE THEM!!!

Almonds are one of my special, power snacks too!  Adds protein, something crunch, salty and yummy.  

One last tip:  if you have a 3 year old handy, it's great to eat something he likes for your meals...cause he will want bites and that means LESS CALORIES FOR YOU!!!  YAY!!

okay...that's my thought.  Bye now.

Watch out, Tim! IT's ON!!!

It's ON!!!  So my brother in law likes to "mess" (aggravate, torture, tease, taunt...) with me and takes great pleasure in it.  I'm pretty sure he would like to choke me sometimes too.  Stinker!  :)  All done in fun :) of course.  Had fun visiting with my lil sis and him when they were here over the weekend and we got to talking about how fat we are feeling.  I lost nearly 30 lb this last year but I really have another 25 I need to shed.  And even though I have maintained my weight through even the MOST wonderful time of the year...I can feel a difference because I haven't exercised since the day I ran the 5k -- how awful is that?  Bad.  I know.  :(

So anyway...we both have about 25 lb to lose to get to our goal weight...mine is 180 lb. (mind you, I'm not  a small girl...I know that sounds like a cow to most people but I'm gonna be thrilled to death at 180 and I would feel like a supermodel, I'm sure LOL!!!).  I weighed 175 when I got married (at 18) and wore a size 10-12.

So 25 lb doesn't sound bad except we know that the last of the weight is hard to come off.  So Tim and I have "challenged" each other to lose the weight by the end of May.  I think that is doable.  It's not who loses it first...because ALL of us women know how that would turn out, right!?   He'll probably lose it in a month or two and that's when I'll start baking :) and mailing tasty care packages to the Lesley residence... mmwhahhahah!!!!!

We need to think of a reward for the winner...something good, humiliating and that doesn't really cost a lot of money.  Got any ideas?