Happy Birthday!

Kenaniah Jacob Auld celebrates his 6th birthday today! He told me he wanted chocolate ice cream, M&Ms and Papa John’s pizza for dinner.

He will be accompanying hubby to worship practice tonight as well.

<3

Espresso

I ran out of the Starbucks Espresso Pods and was unable to find them locally. So I picked up a bag of Starbucks Espresso Roast and had them grind it for me.

I cannot believe the difference! It does taste different, maybe not as strong (I can work on that) but the difference I can SEE is that there is more crema in my latte. Very creamy and yummy!

Tapestry Crochet

My Mom and Dad will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary next June. I’ve been thinking about what to do for them for a gift. I want to crochet a wall hanging, and after viewing some wonderful work done in tapestry crochet.

I purchased the book, More Tapestry Crochet by Carol Ventura in order to learn a bit more about the art and also because there is graph paper in the book that I can use.

I would LOVE to make a round piece like Stacey Glasgow, but I don’t think I have the confidence to design something. When the book comes in, I’ll see if there’s something included that will boost my confidence.

Espresso

I love lattes. I spend way too much money at Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks buying caramel lattes and caramel macchiatos.

I knew I probably should get an espresso machine, however, I had been scared off of using the machines. Everything I had read showed me that one would need an expensive machine and years of “schooling” to get the right espresso.

On a trip to Walmart, I wandered into the small appliance section. I saw an espresso machine for around $90. I thought that maybe it was Debbie proof (meaning even though I’m scared of this machine, I can still get something good out of it) and I could stop spending gobs of money at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Hubby and I have a policy to not purchase anything over a certain amount without first talking to each other about it. So, I did not pick it up. When I got home, I did a little bit of research and sent an e-mail to hubby letting him know I was interested in purchasing a machine and that they have one at Walmart. He simply said, do the research and we’ll see.

I was unable to find much of anything about the machine at Walmart. Now, I know, in terms of espresso machines, $90 is cheap. However, it’s still $90. If I was going to plunk down that kind of change, I wanted to make sure the machine has something written up on it by others.

I went to Amazon, which is someplace I can go to see others’ comments on items. I found the Delonghi EC155. One comment focused my attention on this machine and was the thing that caused me to purchase it. The commenter said that what she liked most about this machine was that it took the E.S.E. Espresso Pods and that Starbucks sells their espresso in an E.S.E. Espresso Pod. Knowing that I wouldn’t have to mess with measuring, making sure my grounds are the right grind, and making sure I tamped it right took the pressure of making the “perfect cup of espresso” off my shoulders.

Hubby said that as long as I did the research, he was happy with whatever I chose, knowing I wasn’t going to be spending a fortune on it.

Well, the machine came in on Wednesday. I had purchased the pods at Starbucks the day before so I was ready. I had also researched some recipes so I was ready when the machine came.

I pumped out my first iced caramel latte that night and I was so excited. I knew that my days of throwing away my money at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts was pretty much over.

The only downside to this machine, and I am totally open to the idea that it’s user related, is the steam wand. It is not long enough to reach the milk in the frothing pitcher unless the pitcher is full and since milk expands when frothed, this was not going to work out. I also was unable to get my milk to the 140 degrees that is suggested. Since I’m drinking mostly iced drinks this is not an issue, yet. I will be buying a hand held frother and frothing my already warmed milk.

Polymer Clay Crochet Hook Handle – redo

I had covered a D crochet hook in polymer clay (Sculpey III) and used it to work on the Kitty Bag. Tapestry crochet is very tight, and I crochet tight, so, this is a very, very, tight project. My hook almost snapped in two. Even though Carol Ventura strongly encouraged to cover the flat part of the crochet hook, I did not. I use the flat part to rest my forefinger on and I wanted to always see the size. Well, because of how tight I crochet, the hook started to snap on that flat portion of the hook.

I took a pliers and removed the old handle (in pieces) and then made a new handle, covering the flat portion. Hopefully I will be able to use this hook for the Kitty Bag project, anyway.

More on Curves and Cuves Smart

I received a comment from someone and instead of addressing her privately, I wanted to share my testimony.

First, the comment

Hey…glad to hear that you are getting results from the Curves ‘Smart’ programme.

My club is due to upgrade to this in September. I’m in two minds whether to follow.

You say that you were working out before, but with no success….were you a regular Curves member before?

I am only asking as I have been going to Curves for nearly two months now, but have not started to lose inches or weight yet

Ok, so here’s the story. I never was one big on dieting or on exercise. I have gotten pregnant 7 times, carrying all 7 full term. After each child, I packed on a bit of weight, maybe losing a little bit after, but not much.

Finally, 2 1/2 years after my last kiddo was born, I decided to do something about my weight. I checked out Curves and then another women’s gym just across the street. The lady working at Curves was more open and welcoming and talked to me about the program instead of hitting me in my pocketbook and letting me know I was overweight. The lady at the other gym immediately pulled out the price book and told me that the owner would be sitting down with me to tell me what changes I would have to make in my diet. Um, thanks, but no thanks. I joined Curves.

April 30, 2007 was my first weigh in/measurement. I weighed in at 269 lbs. After my first month, I dropped 3 lbs and 4.25 inches. The next month (June 30), I dropped another 6 lbs and 7.25 inches. July, I remained the same and I attributed that to the fact that, at home, I was not as active as I had been.

August brought a weight loss of 5 lbs and 7 inches. September saw 1 lbs lost and 2.5 inches. October didn’t see any change. During these first few months, I was going fairly regularly – 3x a week. But I was getting discouraged and in November, my attendance dropped to once a week. My last weigh in was October 30. I don’t think I journaled too much during that time, but I can only assume that I wanted to avoid the scale because I didn’t want to see the results.

December – forget about it. I don’t think I went during that month and January as well.

I went back in February and March. I started going in the afternoon instead of morning because I thought it would be best with homeschool and all. After doing a self weigh in and not seeing weight loss during those two months of going, I quit going again.

Around the middle of May, hubby asked me if I had stopped going and I said yes. He encouraged me to go back, reminding me of how I felt during those first few months of going. May 12 was my first visit back. I started going in the mornings again and saw that I had more energy from working out in the morning instead of waiting for the afternoon.

I let the manager know that I was getting discouraged because I was not seeing results. She told me to hang in there as they were expecting to go through some changes. I started back on my 3 times a week and waited to hear on those changes, but I, again, avoided getting weighed in and measured (if you don’t know, it’s not there, right? j/k)

May 19 – I walk in and see information about the Curves Smart program (read this post) for more details) and knew that this computerized trainer was what I needed.

I got weighed in and measured on June 13 for the Curves Smart system and then again on July 14. My results were a weight loss of 2 lbs and 2.5 inches.

Since May 12, I have been going faithfully 3 times a week. I see a difference using the Curves Smart system because when I think that I’m doing alright, but knowing I’m getting tired, the computer shows that I am slowing down and I’m not using my full range of motion. When I focus on the range of motion and staying “in the green”, I KNOW I’m getting a better workout.

I feel better overall and can see results in my body. My pants are hanging a bit lower on my hips and my bras are a little “wrinkly”.

For those of you on the fence about joining the Curves Smart program, I would recommend trying it out for at least 2 months. Change is a difficult thing, but approach this with an open mind. Here’s some things to consider:

Your Curves is probably in the learning stages of this program, too, so be patient with them as they learn.

It’s almost as if you are re-learning how to use the Curves equipment. Approach this as if you were going in for the first time. Be open to correction and don’t hold on to your old ways.

It’s important that you focus on your range of motion and then “staying in the green”. If you haven’t used the machines yet, and don’t know what “staying in the green” means, don’t worry about it. Just remember that for when you learn the machines.

Again, when training on the new program, remember that the staff is probably new to this, too. You may not get all your question answered and may no understand why you are doing certain things, but maybe jot those questions down and see if the staff can research those questions for you and get back to you.

Enjoy and happy curving!

Emily’s Wristwarmers

Size J20/6.00mm Susan Bates Aluminum/Bamboo handle crochet hook
elann.com Esprit 1 ball Wine, 1 ball Orchid Pink

Still deciding on the stitch…

More to follow…

Caytie’s Wristwarmers

I used stitch #100 from American School of Needlework’s Crochet 101 Stitches for Afghans by Jean Leinhauser.

I used a J/ 6.00mm Susan Bates Aluminum/Bamboo handle crochet hook
elann.com Esprit – mauve and soft periwinkle

I started with ch31 and there are 23 rows.

Thumb hole for the left one – row 16 (rs) – ch2 over 5 & 6 stitches

Thumb hole for the right one – row 16 (rs) – ch2 over 26 & 27 stitches

Caytie’s comments on these wristwarmers – “They’re comfortable!”

She’s been wearing them since she tried them on, even while doing schoolwork.

Did Your Starbucks Make the List?

I read at FoxNews that Starbucks released the names of the stores that are being closed. But they failed to give a link with this information.

So, I did a search on Florida Starbucks store closing to see if any of mine made the list.

Only one store in my city, Coral Springs, made the list. My city wasn’t listed under my city, however, it was listed under Pompano Beach. The Starbucks in the Coral Square Mall is closing.

This .pdf file is Starbuck’s List of U.S. Store Closings.

What I’m Working On

I’m waiting for my elann.com order to come in so I can get swatching on my friend’s mom’s turban.

edited – It came in today! Yay!

I’m slowing working on the Kitty Bag.

I still have to finish the Belles doily.

I’m almost finished with my last La Mer scarf.

Can’t really get motivated right now to do much of anything.

edited – I’ll be working on the Chemo Turban.