My Measurements...

Time is flying! And that is an understatement. The photo biz booming. I'm learning a foreign language and also sewing. Those are the newest things on my plate these days. (Oh I have a nephew and he's cray cray adorbs and he occupies my time too but that is another long mushy post.) I've successfully sewed two skirts on my own. I was in a class where I was working on a few items and I'm proud of those things but its the things I did on my own and wear often that I am most proud of. Yesterday was my last day of class for now. I'm no longer in it so I can pursue the foreign language more fully on Monday evenings. So I'll be attending YouTube University and I've also bought some books.

One thing I just did today that I would recommend to anyone sewing is to layout your measurements so you can see what you're working with. I'm not at the point where I want to 'put em on the glass' aka put my measurement numbers all out on the internet so I'll just post this chart.

When you have measurements like this, you will most likely have to always adjust any pattern. I'm working on my first blouse and based on my measurements I span between four sizes. Grading or adjusting a pattern is a task in itself. But I guarantee you once you do it and you have that custom made skirt, dress or pair of pants. You'll fall in love with yourself all over again. They say clothes make the person and I tend to agree.

Routine Disrupted

I didn't think I was much of a routine person but as I sit and reflect I see that I am. My weeks are pretty set. Today is Monday, October 20, 2014. My sewing class has been cancelled for the evening because the instructor has taken holiday and went home to England to visit her family and friends. I have a free evening. There are several things I can do with it... go roller skating. Mondays are super chill at the rink and I could get in some much needed exercise and backwards skating action. I could go to the harbor and get that time lapse that I've been dying to get. I tried the technique on some clouds and it worked! Now I want to try down by the water and capture the Capitol Wheel reflecting off the water. Saturday I attended my first Haitian Creole meeting. They were a very warm congregation. I really think this is going to be a great fit for me. They meet tonight for their bookstudy/school/service meeting. I'm dressed for the meeting with my heels in the car. I think I will indeed go to the meeting. Choice made!

Que up Chicago 85 please, track 3.

This week is clearly my week of goodness. I've been withstanding the pressures of the world pretty good and calling clients back in a timely fashion. I went swimming and skating this week. I swam several laps in the pool. That felt great! And last night I skated for a long time before taking a break. Oh and Monday I went to sewing class. Safe to say as for extra auxiliary stuff, I've been on and poppin. One more Oh, and I booked two photo sessions. Crazy! Today I'm getting a manicure and pedicure at my house. The nail tech is coming to my home to pamper me. Fancy huh! My Gwynnie Bee came in and fits wonderfully. Its a maxi dress with blue and green leaves on it with a gold necklace detail. I'll be wearing it this weekend to get much needed spiritual boost. I don't feel I got all the goodness there was to get out of the International Convention. But then again I hear, statistic show, that that's pretty normal, especially for host cities. So I guess I'm just as normal as they come. In preparation for my in home mani and pedi I cleaned up the living room yesterday and even did the windows. So I've been getting the Washington Post. I was sold to get it for a good deal one night at the grocery store. If we allowed it the house would be swimming in newspaper. That stuff accumulates quickly. So I've begun cleaning the glass in the apartment with the newspaper. Old school techniques always work, I tell you. After cleaning the glass table in the dining room, I took my sights to the balcony. The largest window in the apartment was filthy. I just about went through the entire Wednesday Post cleaning the three panes of glass that make up the balcony. It sparkled so beautifully when I was done tho. There are a  few spots I missed. If I feel like it I'll hit those today when I get home. But I felt ji good taking care of home yesterday. Now to get a man to take care of me after I take care of home....

Skating, Lentils and Trail Mix... oh my

So its really not all that dramatic, its just what this post is about.

Last night I went roller skating. The rink wasn't packed and the music was pumpin. I was having my cycle twinges and tightness in my back and groin which I seem to have every other menstrual cycle period. Throughout my day I randomly call out 'Oil Can' in my best tin man voice because I feel very crampy and tight. But I went despite my woes and got stretched out real good. This summer I fell on a wet floor and hurt my knee worst then I ever did when I fell on roller skates. I still feel the pain from the fall. It felt like I was going to fall when I bent my knees, but I was good last night.

When I got home from the rink, my house was smelling some kind of wonderful. My sister was making lentils! Currently I'm eating them and they are delicious. This soup is going to be a staple for us as we workout and get healthy. For dinner I'll be having leafy greens.

I always have to go to the vending machine while im at work and today was no exception. Usually I go for cookies; Grandma's mini vanilla  sandwich joints, or Famous Amos Chocolate chip joints. Oh yeah, warmed glazed honey buns and peanut m&m's or snickers are also on my usually list. (ima work in progress) For the last two days I've been getting Cranberry Almond Delight trail mix. Its very yummy. While the bag contains three servings and I gobble them down in like 1/2 a servings time, its got to be better than my usually list.

The free water and ice dispenser here on my job is out of service! I've been drinking my green tea tho. The hot water dispenser is working just fine.

Im about to head to a meeting....

#positivitybegetspositivity

"I will!" Be your bridesmaid, but first let me take a selfie!

"You have been there for me through thick and thin. You have seen me cry, grow as a woman, and fall in and out of love. You have been my rock and my sounding board for all things "MEN". I would love to have you continue in this journey with me. Will you be my shoulders, my ears, my support, and my rock for my wedding day? If you are able to dedicate yourself to me from now until my big day, please say you will be my bridesmaid!!"

I'm bringing sexy back!

That's how one of my good friends asked me to be in her wedding. Who could turn down such a request?! The bride has worked so hard during her courtship to lose weight and she looks marvelous. Now is my turn. I have 11 months to get some of this ugly fat off this good lookin' body. As I am typing this post I stop occasionally to sip Royal King organic green tea from my white Starbucks mug with minty green polka dots. I am also starring down a banana.

Can I do it this time? Get rid of a substantial amount of weight that I've been trying to get rid of for such a long time. I haven't loss any big weigh in a long time. I've flatten my belly to gain it all back and got rid of some back fat but its all back. Glistening and sweating every time I make a move.

The wedding is just another motivator for something I've been very much interesting in doing for a very long time. I'm trying to make my mind over people. It aint easy, but somebody gots to do it.

He Switched It Up.

Im struggling with what to title this post.

Here's the situation: Guy like girl. He meets her friends and assumes the role of "ultimate" gentleman. When girl is out with her friends in public settings and guy shows up he walk everyone to their cars at the end of the night, hers being the last stop, of course. He engages her friends in conversation, trying to get to know them. He gives everyone big embraces, like family embraces. In private phone conversations he professes love for girl, she turns him down. After a while he sees her friends, he greets them with one hand hugs, or more like pats on the back. Girl doesn't show up to the public settings, but friends still do, when he leave, he bids everyone an adieu and goes straight for his car, leaving friends to fiend for themselves.

Its not that the friends needed escorts to their cars but its interesting to see a guy change up. I wonder was he ever the ultimate gentleman in the first place or just a poser with booty on the brain or maybe just love dejected. IDK just wondering...

Personal Tabata Challenge

Im starting this challenge to see just how I can PUSH IT. I took a Tabata class last year about this time and while I wanted to vomit, I enjoyed the class and the theory behind the exercise. I just finished a 4 minute session and I plan to do it every day for the next week while still doing the other exercises I do during the week, roller skating, squats and crunches, and see where this gets me. 

Trying to be a better me as I get better with age. Black women do not have to be the stereotypical overweight women they try to box 75% of us in. Not that it is their fault - let me clear that up. My goal is after pic fab. Day one - DONE.