Embroidery, sewing, & more...

After lots of encouragement from the hubby and daughter, I'm getting back into trying my hand with embroidery.  I've had a Brother PE500 for about 2 years now, and just this week added a Brother PE770.  The PE500 has a maximum embroidery field of 4"x4", whereas the PE770 has a maximum field of 5"x7".  As much as I would love to have a multi-needle embroidery machine, the price of those are quite out of my league at the present time.  Though you can do so much more on a multi-needle machine, quite a bit can be done with a single needle machine.  

The picture to your left is a embossed font I did on a hand towel for my daughter.  Though it seems like it takes a lot of thread, the end result is very nice.  The font I used is one of several I bought and downloaded from Designs by JuJu.  I have also come across several other websites that offer great fonts and embroidery/applique designs.  Some of these sites can be rather addicting and fun to explore.

As a result of getting back into embroidery, the desire to sew has crept back up.  I see so many cute things on FaceBook from other crafters that I would love to try my hand at, such as bibs, burp cloths, blankets.  Pinterest and Etsy are also great places to look for patterns, tutorials, and other great ideas and supplies for sewing and embroidery.

On another note,  I take my first ceramics class on March 21st.  I am really looking forward to this.  The studio I'll take the classes at is offering 6 classes, with each class specializing in something different.  This is not a hand thrown or wheel thrown class.  We will be learning about putting patterns on bisque and painting them.  I doubt my arthritis would let me handle the clay making process.  :-)

As time goes on, I hope to keep you posted on my process in both the embroidery and ceramic fields.  Links will be provided as I go along for those of you readers who might be interested.  If you don't have a hobby or are looking for a new one, I highly recommend both embroidery and ceramics.  I am not gifted with crafts, but I do enjoy learning...so don't let your insecurities stop you from learning something new.

No new year resolutions for me...

I have decided this year not to make any resolutions for the new year.  Why?  Because I feel that it's silly to say one is going to do something and then quit after an X amount of time.  Seriously...think about it.  How many times have you said you were going to do something, such as quit smoking, only to "fall off the wagon" within a month or so.  

This year I'm going to set goals for myself, and hopefully by the year's end I will be happy with what I've accomplished.  I only have 3 main goals I want to work on in 2015.

1.  Pray more.  I firmly believe in prayer, but haven't done as much of it as I should.  I am trying to get into the habit of starting my day off with a prayer thanking the Lord for allowing me to wake up to enjoy another day He has created.  I also want to try to pray again before I go to sleep thanking Him for the blessings I've had that day, as well as for forgiveness for any mistakes I have made.

2.  Read my Bible more.  Though I've never read the Bible straight through, I have read various books of the Bible and have underlined my favorite scriptures.  I want to read more and look for more scriptures that "talk" to my soul and will help me lead a more Christ-like life.

3.  Continue on my weight loss journey.  Though I have an ultimate goal I'm working toward, I won't be disappointed if I don't achieve it in 2015; as long as I loose as much as I can to get there I will be happy.  I'll get to my ultimate goal one of these days.

Maybe I can get into more crafts this year...I've got a couple of ideas in mind.  Will have to see how things play out.  :-) 

I hope 2015 will be a good year for you.  May the Lord bless you and keep you.

'Tis The Season...

This time of year everywhere you look people are rushing around trying to either find that perfect gift for everyone on their list or pick up that last minute gift.  Stores slash their prices ridiculously low with hopes those shoppers will come in.  

This time of year also seems to bring out the worst in people...how many stories have you heard or read talking about adults fighting in stores during events like Black Friday over a stupid gift or someone cutting in line while waiting in line for the store to open its doors.  Then when the doors do open, there is such a mad rush to get in, people don't seem to care if they knock others down trying to get them out of their way, which leads to some people getting trampled on and seriously injured or killed. 

Then you've got that customer who takes his or her frustrations out on the store employees because they are unhappy the store sold out of whatever it was they wanted before they could get to it or the store didn't have enough registers open and God forbid they have to wait in line.  Customers don't seem to realize that the employees don't have anything to do with how many employees are assigned to work each day or how many lanes are open.  Stores such as WalMart get their schedules from their corporate headquarters.  

What is suppose to be a joyous time of year can really be a stressful time of year.  We worry over spending too much money, will that person like the gift we give them, bills coming in right and left, etc.

We tend to forget about those who are less fortunate than we are.  So many people are without jobs, homeless, hungry, cold, alone, in hospitals, or for whatever reason won't be able to spend Christmas with their families.  

In so many cases, the real reason we have the opportunity to celebrate this time of year is either forgotten or pushed to the side.

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

The fact He may not have actually been born on December 25 is not important, as far as I'm concerned.  What IS important is we celebrate the greatest gift this world has ever received...Jesus Christ!!  This time of year should not be about what we give or get for Christmas, but sharing the joy of the season.  Read the Bible and you will find over and over again about how Jesus tried to teach us about how we can obtain true joy. 

NOTE:  I realize that there are people and religions who do not believe He is the Son of God, and I respect your beliefs.  I ask that you respect mine.

Three months in...

It's been 3 months today since I started this journey of changing my nutritional lifestyle.  In one respect it seems like it's been forever, but then again it feels like I've just started it.

As of yesterday (Mondays being my weigh-in day) I've lost 22.5 pounds since July 28.  That may not be a lot in 3 months, but for me that's an accomplishment.  I would've love to have lost more, but it's hard for me to loose weight, so any and all weight coming off is a blessing.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up I'm going to have to really be diligent in watching what I eat.  I'm thinking about making a bunch of cookies for my husband, kids, and some friends for the Christmas holidays, which will be a test to see just how strong my willpower will be.  :-)

NOTE:  For those of  you are visiting my blog for the first time, I'm trying to loose quit a bit of weight through eating healthier and attending physical therapy sessions.

4 weeks in...

Just a quick update on my progress with the POWR program offered at Kort Physical Therapy.  It's been 4 weeks now and I have lost a total of 15.6 lbs., almost an inch in my bicep, 1/2" in my waist, and none in my thigh.  The amount of weight loss my first month amazes me; however, I'm realistic enough to know that not every month is going to be that good.  Though I can hope.  :-)

I am really enjoying the fellowship with the other participants and the advice from my physical therapist and the 2 participants who have been in the program since April.  If you are rather overweight like I am, I highly recommend this program.  Talk to your doctor about it; if they aren't aware of the program, have them check it out.  For more information, check out their website at www.kort.com.

Time for a lifestyle change...

In mid-July 2014 I had a health scare that I like to think of as a wake up call.  Due to some breathing difficulties and pain on the top of my shoulders that was going into my neck, my family doctor recommended a stress test and chest x-ray; both of which came back clear.  A few days later I had a pulmonary test done, which confirmed my asthma has come back.  Let it be noted that I had severe asthma as a child, but had not had any problems for decades. As a result, I have embarked on a lifestyle change.

I will be the first to admit that I'm rather overweight, and am lazy when it comes to dieting and exercise.  My family physician and I both knew that if I could get some, if not all, my weight off, I would have an easier time breathing.  I also have several orthopedic problems which common sense says will improve if the weight is reduced/gone.  I have dieted before but it never really worked for me, so instead of dieting, I decided to make a lifestyle change that would last the rest of my life.  My husband was very happy that I decided to change my eating habits because this meant he would benefit from it too with the healthy meals he is now getting.  :-)

With the recommendation of my doctor, I have started a program called POWR, which stands for Personalized Orthopedic Weight Reduction.  POWR is geared toward addressing the obesity epidemic by showing its participants how to make healthy lifestyle changes that will help reduce risks of obesity-related diseases.  This program is one of the many programs at KORT (Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team) and it incorporates both physical therapy and nutritional counseling.  

The particular KORT center I am going to is fabulous.  All the physical therapists there are extremely enthusiastic about helping each person who comes there.  Melanie, my personal PT, has started a POWR HOUR, and at the present time I am 1 of 3 participants.  There may be more to join, as Melanie has said she has spoken with at least 7 more people who want to join the POWR program.

When I use to diet, I didn't have anyone try to explain to me about nutrition and what changes I needed to make in my eating habits.  Now, with Melanie's help, I am learning which foods are better for me than others.  Another part of my journey includes learning how to read labels which is a key proponent of my daily goals. 

Those daily goals include setting a limit for how many carbs, fats, protein, sodium, and sugars I allow myself each day.  Though I do have a set amount of calories for each day, I watch the carbs, etc. more than I do the calories.  Also, on my iPad I have an app called MyFitnessPal.  After each meal or snack, I record what I ate and how much; the app will keep a running total of my calories and nutritional stats and lets me know at the end of the day if I met or overdid my goals.

I am presently in my 3rd week of the POWR program;  the first week I lost 7.3 lbs, and 2 lbs. the second week.  It is my goal to hopefully loose 1-2 lbs. each week until I've lost at least 100+ lbs.  Stay tuned for updates.  :-)

Check out these links:

My Fitness Pal -  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

POWR - http://www.kort.com/services/Specialized-Services/Personalized-Orthopedic-Weight-Reduction/default.aspx

Searching one's ancestry...

George & Sallie Bertram

Off and on for several years now I have been slowly but surely researching the genealogy of my paternal grandfather's family.  I would love to learn more about my paternal grandmother's family, as well as both of my maternal grandparents; however, I have had a rough time trying to find out anything on them.

I recently purchased a book about my family entitled  BUTTRAM The Descendents of William Buttram I and Margaret of Rowan County, North Carolina and was compiled by Charles V. & Barbara L. (Brown) Waid for the Buttram Family Association.  It was copyrighted in 1998, and this book is enormous, with over 1000 pages.  I am sure it took a tremendous amount of time and effort to come up with all the genealogies listed in this book, which I greatly appreciate.

With the Bertram family, I have gotten as far back as 1590 and 14 generations before me.  From what research I have found, the Bertram name has also been spelled Buoutteram, Butteram, Burtram, Butrum, Burtrum, Buttrum, Butram, Burtrum, Burttram, and Burttrum.  The first family member came to America from England in 1637, and William seems to be a very popular family name.

I believe everyone should research their family origins, as it can be fun and interesting to find out if you have any famous or infamous people in your lineage.  Example:  the actor, Pat Buttram, is a member of my family; however, I'm not quite sure just how closely related we are.  Pat starred with Gene Autry in The Gene Autry Show, and is well remembered as "Mr. Haney" on the Green Acres television show.

If you're not sure where to start your genealogy search, you can always to your local library and ask if they have access to any genealogical databases.  If there is a historian in your town, ask if they can give you pointers.  If you don't mind paying an annual fee, Ancestry.com is a great place to look.  Other internet sites I recommend are Rootsweb and Family Search.  If all else fails, just "google" either genealogy datebases or a family member.  In my case, I "googled" my paternal great-grandfather and came up with oodles of information.

Whatever you do, have fun with it.