And....She's OFF!

I had this list of Goals that I wanted to get accomplished from the beginning of the year.

Goal 1.  Keep a running list of goals
Goal 2.  Get my office/ studio organised
Goal 3.  Get back into shape
Goal 4.  Keep the household better
Goal 5.  Work on my two at-home businesses more

Now, Goals 1, 2, 4 and 5 have been worked on!  I wouldn't say that I have completed or excelled at these things.  I have just been working on things, as I get the time.

Goal 3, I TOTALLY ignored.  I started the year at 150 pounds and just kind of flabby.  I noticed in the beginning of this month (August) that I am 160 pounds and getting round.  With the addition of the roundness, I have begun to notice my scoliosis.  I am only 5'3".  The BMI indexes say I am overweight.  One even said I was morbidly obesese.  I started watching what I eat 2 weeks ago.  I am using the app "MyFitnessPal" to keep track of exceraing and my food diary.  So far, I have lost 2.5 pounds.  I have not measured myself yet.

This is my "start" photo.  Yes, I know, I look like I am in my second trimester.....

But, it is a start.  I just wish I could get my arse up early enough and on a regular basis to exercise!  I can not get past week one of "Couch-2-5K" before hitting a snag and not being able to work out for a few days.  More to come!!!!

Filigree and Swarovski Button Earrings

This morning I sat down at my design table and just sat there.  Nothing in mind.  I started thinking about filigree and the few components I had on hand.  Then, I knew I had these small Swarovski Sew on Stones that I though would make easy earrings.  The bad thing about the stones was, the back of them was coated gray.  That is not good for a free dangling earring.  Sparkle side -- blah gray side....  But if I attached them to filigree, then you wouldn't notice the gray side as much.  I took out the single pieces of filigree and realized that the stones were too small of scale to go with them.  Then I saw a filigree ring that I had flattened.  I don't know why or when I had flattened it.... it was just there.  I liked the shape of the ends of the "ring". 

I took a picture of earrings I already made and an unflattened ring.

I then took the ring and with a simple pair of scissors, I cut the filigree in the shape was appealing to me.  

 I took apart the original pair of earrings and reused all the components and added one 

                                jump ring to attach

 the Swarovski stone to the filigree. 

I am really happy that the filigree helps cover and hide the icky gray side of the stone.  I am also ecstatic that I was finally able to figure out a different use for the filigree rings.  

I have really wanted to work with and experiment with filigree, but always allowed myself get stumped.  I was afraid.  I don't know why I would be afraid!  In jewelry making (and most things crafty) usually you can always re-use and re-purpose projects that don't come out "just right".  

March in Review....

I did not get everything accomplished.  I did not get ANYTHING accomplished.  We had staff at my day job on vacation and a ton of things going on at said day job.  When things get rocking at the funeral home, life at home stops.  I just don't have the time, energy or emotional power to "do it all."

As Far as my 5 Goals go.....

1.  Keep a running list of 5 goals.... yep, got it.  But, I am not finding the time to even work on the Goals.

2.  Get my office/ studio organised.  Ok, when I had the time, I did work on this one.  I was able to sit down at my workspace and go through some things.  I can even move my chair around!

3.  Work on my belly.  Not much in March, but April I should have a good update on this goal.

4.  Keep the household better.  HUGE FAIL on this one.  Including a bill getting paid late and a late fee.  Oh, which reminds me.... credit cards are due.....  And we are not going to have a visit from the Easter Bunny, it will be the Dust Bunny.

5.  Work on my two at-home businesses.  I have been doing more social networking on Facebook and Etsy.  I had one sale for KABbeading in March and 2 in April already.  February was still awesome!  But I am also participating in an auction for an Etsy friend of mine.  Lauren is raising money for Susan G. Komen with an auction on her Facebook site.  I have three pairs of my laminated earrings up for auction.  Currently at $3.50 and free shipping!

available through Tutu's & Tea Parties Auction for the Cure:  https://www.facebook.com/KABbeading#!/photo.php?fbid=336241616428106&set=a.336241543094780.93119.142834599102143&type=3&theater

Now, it is April.  Let us see what this month of re-birth will bring!



Ok, it is THAT time. It is the New Year. Time for the list of resolutions. The LIST to a BETTER me. I f I could just barely improve the things than need improving, think my life would be better.
Here is the darned list:

1. Wake up at 6 am - no matter what. That way I have time to myself and the days I have to be in the office early, it is not such a shock to my system.
2. Be better organized. I have the office chair, cork board, dry erase board, files and the table top file holder. Now just to put it all in use!
3. Go to the gym. I have a membership that I went out and got when my first born arrived (almost 20 months ago.) I have gone 4 times. If i don't start going, I'll cancel my membership in March.
4. Build my Etsy business.
5. Keep my mouth shut at work. I really don't need to talk while I am there any way....
6. If I see a bed not made.... I will make it. (I could care less, but it would make my hubby soooo happy.)
7. At night, get my butt up and make sure my teeth are brushed, face is washed and hair is combed before going to bed. (If you have young children, you should be able to understand....)
8. Keep my nails nicely groomed. I kinda forget about them. I always make sure they are clean, but rarely do I paint them, file them, ect... I let them live their life.... and then i look down at my hands and half the nails have broke off and they are all different lengths... ah, yes it is time.
9. Try to get the HDepot account paid off by June. At 26.99% (and NEVER being late with a payment) it needs to get paid off.
10. Be happy with my hectic life, children, hubby, family and house.

Well, lets see how I do. Happy 2010!