The diet diary part 2 and why they still suck plus progress on cotton spinning.

My diet started about 9 weeks ago after my last visit to the neurologist to check how I was doing on the new medication, they did the standard check in routine. Sign in, verify information on the paperwork, co-pay, wait and then the weigh in. I knew one of the possible side affects from taking Lyrica was some weight gain but as I stepped on the scale, needless to say I was shocked as how much I had gain in 4 weeks. Even when I was pregnant with Bailey I didn't gain much weight at all and at times I had a very hard time gaining any weight. It was with that one step on the scale that got me thinking about my weight and kept me thinking about it for the rest of the day. The next day I download the app for the iPhone, Loseit.com, a calorie counter and basically set my goal to loose 1/2 - 1 1/2 pounda each week.

As I've gotten further along with this diet, I've adjusted my goal and my allotment of calories as I've gotten more comfortable with the restrictions. I did what I said I would never do and purchased a bathroom scale and brought it my home to which it sat on the dinning room table till I found a battery. Our weigh in (my diet buddy James has joined me in this self-induced hell lifestyle now, his choice wasn't so willing as my choice was. Doctor's orders!) was last Sunday and I am happy to report, I've lost 16 lbs and James has lost 11 lbs. since both our doctor visits. Which makes me think the doctor's scale wasn't all that accurate since I really can't see how I could have lost that much weight that fast and maybe the shock to my system wasn't necessary. Then again, whether you are counting calories (or carbs in the case with James) it does make you more aware of what you are about to shovel into one's mouth.

Not much progress has been made on the cotton fiber and frankly, it's giving me some problems. I managed to get two bobbins full of cotton singles and set up the wheel for plying. Over twist seems to be making plying a general pain so I've taken the singles off to the niddy noddy and letting them set for awhile to help with the twisting problem. I'll do some research and maybe check out some books on cotton to figure out what to do. With the cotton on hold I don't like to have a naked spinning wheel, so I grabbed the wool that I dyed recently at Carey's house and started spinning it last night and oooo.....how I missed spinning an easy fiber. I couldn't get a good picture of it (it's so pretty but so out of focus when I'm taking it's picture) so I'll show some other items I've recently purchased.

About 2 weekends ago I did a quilt shop hop with my Mother & sister Terrie around the southwest Missouri & Arkansas. To entertain and keep Bailey from getting too bored with traveling, I told her that she could pick out a fat quarter of her own and that we'll make something out it.

The quarter that she started with is the red with watermelon seeds all over was this was the start of her collection. We worked off that to match up the rest of the colors (reds, greens and blacks) in the fat quarters. The quarter with the awful glare is actually a pink batik, which is Bailey's favorite color and somehow I'll work this in to the pattern whenever I figure out one to make. The fabric on the right is mine for a bag project gotten at a wonderful discount fabric store in Springfield, Mo. that has some of the best designer fabrics at really good prices. Of course no trip is complete with out visiting a yarn store while in Springfield.

Creamy white alpaca yarn....mmmmm. I'll use it to match up to some brown/white/black alpaca mix that I spun up last year. I made some fingerless mitts out of the yarn but have enough leftover to do something.

Still spinning the cotton and why diets suck.

Nobody ever wakes up one day and says "I think I'll start a diet today, just for FUN!!" There is always a reason for them, either good or bad there is always some kind of reason for them. Now you're probably wondering what does diets have to do with spinning & knitting. Everything. If I was at a smaller size right now spinning fiber up wouldn't take as long to make or to knit up. But I could be at a size 1 and still be spinning the cotton fiber for the rest of my life. Cotton fiber spinning is taking it's sweet time in producing any yarn to knit. I've been at it for a while now and I almost have the second bobbin done. Now, maybe I picked the wrong time of the season for spinning the cotton fiber because of my dry hands which have cause some issues. But again, I think even with the ideal location, perfect time of the year and all the planets lined up, I would still be working on the first ounce from the 2 pounds of fiber that I have located next to the couch. With all the whining done for now I will say that whenever I do get this yarn done and knitted up, it will look GORGEOUS! So far I've been trying to spin it on the thick side, I'm wanting a heavy worsted weight yarn for my sweater (bigger yarn+big needles=less time knitting for my fat ass) but cotton has a very nasty habit of spinning up thin. So this yarn will consist of thick, thin, thick, really thin, really thick and back whatever I get it at before it breaks weight. Still it will look GORGEOUS cause the dye job on the fiber is just awesome and should be really interesting when knitted up.

So what's with all the weight issues and dieting?? Well I've started one (again) and I've set some goals up for myself. Now like I said earlier, diets don't start up without a reason and I do have my reasons. Now I'll admit to be lazy at times but when it's a hobby and one that you enjoy well my fat ass isn't the real reason for starting a diet up again. Like I said, I have my reasons and I've got a prize set up for whenever I do loose the amount I've set up for myself. Yes, it's an insanely expensive item (No Carey, it's not another spinning wheel) but for now I'll keep that bit of info to myself. To start off this whole diet thing I download an phone app for my iPhone to help me count my calories and so far I've stuck with it. I'm on week 3 and I've been keeping track of what I eat, how much I've eaten and cutting out snacks. So far I've stuck to my daily allowance of calories and I'm driving James crazy with the whole counting thing but let's be honest, it's probably not a far drive for him. The next obstacle to tackle is buying something that I said I would NEVER own.


A bathroom scale. They are PURE EVIL but in order for me to do this diet thing right, I'm going to have to bring this horrible, horrible thing into my house. The next step after the bathroom scale is exercise which I'm not opposed too doing but until it warms up a bit and I'm able to find a spare minute this next step might take a while in meeting it's goal.