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.