I thought it was cool everyone one. So one day a happy little package arrived on my front porch. I began to look through it to figure out how best to display it. One of the stipulations of the contest was to do a blog or Facebook post of the book. Here’s the cover and before shot.

Next page is my goals for the day.

Sew for me and mail out some love. I definitely got the letters written and in the mail, and the sewing was more organized and contemplated, but not completed. Time has been eaten up by my triathlon training–you can still donate! I’m saving this sheet for the day of the triathlon.

We did a course preview on Sunday–yesterday. 45 minute swim in VERY chilly water. 43 mile bike ride along Highway 1. 3-4ish mile run. I came home, ate dinner and went to bed to sleep for 12 hours! I’m still tired today–taking a rest instead of working out. So come half-Ironman day–I’m sure it will feel like I kicked major booty. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run–here I come!

Back to the Mini Goals book, I took hung it on the wall and pulled off the cover (it was perforated!) See.

Here’s the dress I’m working on. It is draped on my personal moulage-covered and padded dress form. Pretty, pretty.

Of course, Scotch the kitty-helper helped.

And here’s some final shots of the new Mini Goals hanging on the wall with my goals in progress. Notice the cute, colorful stationary–I love Target!, and bra making stuff out.

The pegboard was my requested Christmas gift from Eric. I love the organization!! I’m looking forward to many more days of happy little mini goals–I’m saving these for fun things–like crafting and loving, instead of the “have-to’s” like paying bills and cleaning.

Thanks again, Chronicle Books, and The Blah, Blah, Blahg. If you ever need something else reviewed–I’m your gal! I’m certain Scotch will help too!

Peace,

Katy

His body isn’t responding as well as it could to the drug he is on. I’m not talking about the side affects–they are pretty bad too. But the leukemia isn’t as under control as they would like. This means a new medication–which thankfully exists. It is scary though. The unknown. The changes. How it might affect him physically or otherwise. Sometimes it feels like it’d be easier just to run away. Then I really think about it and I realize it isn’t easier.

I’m working hard on not worrying about it. Until then, I think I’ll go for a swim and work some of my frustrations out while trying to improve my swim stroke.

Peace,

^-^

• Lots of kittens to play with at the place I volunteer.
• After a year and a half our artichoke plant has its first artichoke!
• Art camp-that I’m running, teaching, creating curriculum for, etc.-is going well.
• Mom is home safe from Guatemala.
• Dad caught lots of halibut and salmon and some gets to come to our house.
• Finding a fun book to read and having the time to finish it in a few days. A cheesy romance novel, but still fun every now and again.
• Wine tasting at Satori.
• 19:53 (negative split) on our first 2-mile marker set run.
• 500 m swim on our first 10 minute marker set.
• 15.34 mph (very hilly and with some stoplights) average pace bike for our first 15 mile marker set.
• Playing with my new Garmin 400cx gps heart rate monitor–even though I can no longer be in denial about how slow I run.

Lows from this week

• Cracking open a rotten egg. Stink city!
• When our hairy cat has diarrhea.
• Some hot days and nights without A/C.

I love star-ing the days I complete a workout. My first event I even stickered them all! A little help like that offers a ton of motivation. We have six workouts a week, but my body often needs and extra day of rest. It is a delicate balance figuring out  when to workout and when to take a break.

One lesson I’ve definitely learned is I work out harder and longer when I am with a buddy or group of people. This works great because 2 of our weekly workouts are with the team.

Don’t forget you can always donate here!

Peace,

^-^

I’d like to introduce you to the Summer Tri Team Honorees. We have 10 official honorees and many more personal honorees on our team. I have the opportunity of being the Honoree Captain this season and work hard to make our honorees feel like a part of the team. Several of them are participating with us at the event. The honorees come to many of our practices and are such a motivation for the team.

Go Team!

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I organized all of the trims and what not I need into a small bin. Then when I have a few moments, I have everything on hand to pick up where I left off. It is fabulous–as long as the kitties don’t decide they need attention in that moment too!

I love these scissors. They make trimming seams a breeze. A wonderful friend was cleaning out her home and happened across them and asked if I could use them. Use them?–they make the trimming process so easy! Plus they are Gingher–meaning very nice quality. I love thinking of that story every time I use them.

Peace,

^-^

The quilt was gifted to a good friend for her birthday. It was funny because I originally picked the colors for me, but after working on it, I realized that I have way more than enough quilts–all of which are gifts from significant people in our lives so I had to give the one I made away. The best part of the quilt is the back is a super plushy minky fabric. My friend tells me it is awesome.

Peace,

^-^

I love that I keep running into Haute Couture. I can’t get away from it, and that is okay by me. I kept hearing the name Simone when researching fashion in the San Francisco area. I didn’t know much about her, but if you wanted to learn to make patterns and sew–she was the one you learned from. I was lucky enough to meet her recently.

Unfortunately she no longer takes students. She is self-taught and then into her career learned the techniques in Paris. After completing her schooling she was offered a position with Christian Dior. Due to family responsibilities and a desire to make a name for herself, not Dior, she declined.

What a treat to meet and talk briefly with her.

Peace,

^-^

School is out for summer! We’ve been enjoying lazy BBQs, lots of sunshine, a good amount of heat, and plenty of ice cream. We’re planning on walking to our local frozen yogurt place later–last time I got lemon and chocolate pudding flavors in the same cup! Yum and odd–no I’m not pregnant.

This also means no third grade or community college aiding for a bit. My schedule just opened up a ton! I’m working on my first draping project for me. The dress form cover was a result of a French Pattern Drafting/Moulage class. The results were fabulous and I’m looking forward to working hard in my current season’s triathlon training to require a re-make in a smaller size. We’ll see.

This is such a change from the first draping attempt. I’ve learned a lot these last few years. This fabric was in a friend’s stash. It screams summery dress to me a la the Pretty Woman brown and white polo match dress.

I’m finding myself drawn to more hand-sewn stitches than machine ones. I am contemplating ripping out the shoulder and redoing it by hand. The machine stitches are so harsh on this flowy material.

We’ll see where this leads. Hope you are enjoying the summer sun and have lots of stimulating projects to keep you busy!

In other news I’m Summer Cleaning which means my drawers are much less crammed with things and I’m donating to Goodwill like a madwoman. I have lots of old Threads from a subscription stint. 25 issues from ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, and ’08. Anyone interested in these? I’ve posted them on craigslist, but if you can use them let me know.

Peace,

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Today I wore a shirt I made  a while back paired with a cardigan. Sorry for the silly shot–the mirror wasn’t working because of the lighting.

It has been fun so far.

I’m feeling better about the MBA school thing. I got my nails done yesterday and spent some quality time cleaning our place–weird how cleaning makes me feel better.

I’ve also been surviving on hot tea because of the summer cold/sinus/stuffy nose mess I’m battling right now–hence the really red face in the photo above. No fun.

Peace,

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