Keto Diet for Me

I started the keto diet on April 6, 2017. Since then I have lost 32 pounds. And even though I still have a way to go, and I feel that the pounds sometimes do not come off as fast as I would like, I feel much thinner and healthier and smaller. I know that sounds funny, because of the weight loss, but this time losing weight feels different. And good. So I'm going to keep going. And I'll keep you all posted. Meanwhile, I have a bunch of crafts that I want to get started on/finish and I'll post those too.
Feels good to write again. I think I may even have a short story or two in my fingers.
My cat is sitting on my arm right now, and it's time to go. See you tomorrow.

The Cigar Box

OK, it's been many moons since I've had the desire to write. However, since my beloved Giants are completely out of the race this year, I thought it time to return to my writing roots. What better than to start with my first Halloween project of the season. The altered cigar box.

I wanted it to look like Halloween primitive, which I adore. There are some wooden images on the cover, ribbon and a few well placed poms, but everything else is decoupage. I rather like it. The interior is also decoupaged but unfortunately, not documented. I chose a purple dot paper and added a bit of bling to the inside. Overall, I like it. considering this was a first try.
Happy Halloween everyone.

Is it Halloween Yet?

Tomorrow is the first day of summer. As a child I remember this being such a fun day, staying outside playing late into the night because it never got dark! Now, I'm looking at weather in the 109-113 range. To say I long for autumn weather is an understatement.
I do believe that we create our own environment, regardless of the surroundings. Therefore, I am posting the first pumpkin of the year:

Ah, doesn't that just put you in  the mood. Should I start burning my pumpkin scented candles and bring out the decorations. After all, why can't we celebrate Halloween all year long?
So while I long for this:


I live in this:


I will make the most of it, looking forward to our monsoon season bringing some welcome rain fall. And look forward to the first signs of the weather changing. It's not too long to wait, no?

Happy summer everyone. I hope you find your paradise exactly where you are.

So misunderstood

Mother's Day is finally over and I'm just now writing about it.
Mother's Day to me has never been a big deal. I know for my own mother, we had a huge day, with a big sheet cake (8 siblings, plus whoever happened to stop by). We made Mom her favorite meal, catered to her until I think she went a little batty because all eight of us were wanting attention. (Can you image the attention the Dugar Mom gets???) Anyway, this year, my husband asked what I wanted. Not to be shy, I handed him the list-literally! Don't get me wrong, but after a few of these, you can't leave the gifts to chance. (Remember the episode of Malcolm In the Middle when they give her a gigantic bottle of perfume and she tries some on and says, "You can tell it's the good stuff because it stings." as she fans her neck. So no, I do not allow chance presents. Actually I think it relieves the pressure off the kids, too, because they know they're giving me something I want and I don't have to fake smile all day. Think of it as the Ralphie bunny suit costume. No one wants to have their picture taken in the bunny suit.
I did have to stop my husband at one thing though his intentions were good. He said, "Wouldn't you like breakfast in bed? Eggs, easy up (or over whatever I don't eat eggs) with thick slices of bacon (you mean, the breakfast meat I peel all the fat off before consuming?) and some frensh toast (again with the eggs) with powdered sugar on top."
"You know, hon, I said, that's sounds more like you're favorite breakfast" and I made a mental note for Father's Day. Gotta remember these things kids! I did say, "You know, a donut and a cup of tea would be nice."
I don't think he ever heard that. Just like he hasn't heard it for the last 22 years. All I've ever asked for, as breakfast, is a donut and tea. Every Mother's Day. Every YEAR! DO YOU THINK I HAVE GOTTEN ONE LOUSY DONUT??? Huh?
So this is why mom's sneak out of the house for that rare errand that has to be done immediately or the group whatchamacallit will not go on tomorrow and I need to buy it now!
And every year, you will find Mom's all over the world enjoying their own version of Mother's Day-at Starbuck's. CircleK, Quick Mart, Dunkin' Donuts...you get the picture. We just want a little time to ourselves. Yeah.
Happy Mother's Day to you all. Hope you get what you want next year!!!

Fighting (baseball) depression

So what does one do when their favorite team has an off day? Aside from moping, and taking great joy in another team in the same division losing, uh, we wait. And it's not pleasant. The day drags on. You think, ugh, I can't even watch a game after work. Or, you can shamelessly promote your pinterest board devotes to your favorite team, ahem, San Francisco Giants. Looking through pinned photos always brings a smile to your face. Logging into the team's website to look for more photos to pin. Look through your favorite tumblr posts for more photos and see what all the other fans out there are doing (bored, just like you). Log into MLB and watch yesterday's game again. (I might just do this, I so need my fix). Or post team photos here to show everyone your total devotion to the team. Like this:

Yeah, I'm pretty shameless when it comes to my boys. I can't wait for tomorrow's game!
Batter up-till next time.

So, where were we?

I believe it's Day 4 of the Fat Diaries. I don't like to think of myself as fat. Does it make sense I prefer the term chunky? Probably not. I have, however, decided to damn it all and show my ankles this summer! WHAT? Joking aside, I bought a pair of capri pants and am wearing them in public. I am going outside where the weather is very hot (geez, it's already in the high 90's f***!) and sporting some short pants. That's right, And I got a deal on them. Totally beside the point, but I am comfortable and I'm sure people are not pointing at me and laughing, ha ha ha, she's wearing capris, lol. Yeah, no. It's just my imagination. Something I've learned to be true. People don't really give a flying f*** what you wear. To prove a point, I once wore the same outfit to work all 5 days and no one said a word to me. Like maybe the poor girl can't afford a new blouse, or gee, those pants sure look familiar. Not a thing. I even had to point it out to a co-worker. She just nodded, and moved her chair away from me ever so slightly. ..
So what I have learned from this diet experiment is this: nobody cares what you look like, what you wear, how you wear it... I think cleanliness is important (did I mention that I washed those clothes every day before I wore them for the entire week?) I think that if you carry yourself well, and treat yourself with respect that you will receive the same back. I have learned not to focus all the negative energy on myself! Wait for it, I have learned to like myself. And to like myself in those damn capris. And hold my head high. And not worry so much about what I think someone might be saying. And who cares if someone does think or say something, isn't that just a reflection of that person?
I'm going all Shallow Hal on myself and seeing the good in people. And hopefully, I'll be able to see the good in myself, too!
Say good night Gracie,
Good night, Gracie.

"I keep on telling you to keep on keepin' on, I keep on telling you to work it on out..."

A song from Shawn Phillips, and fitting for the Giants. A sweep from the Padres? Yikes, but tomorrow is another day, the beginning of another series. They travel to my home state of Arizona to play the Dbacks for another three. I am not worried even though it looks the pitching is a bit sketchy. And they will be facing ex-Giant Cody Ross, who has been playing very well lately. (You might remember my mention of him in another post!) Play well, guys. I know you will. In series like these, you have to celebrate the individual wins. Like Tim Lincecum pitching an outstanding game, giving up two runs, 6 hits and 9 K's. He pitched 7 innings-outstanding innings (did I say that already?) and absolutely no run support. Reminiscent of 2011, eh? Brandon Crawford put in another great series, defensively as well as offensively. Belt got some great hits, Pablo fabuloso! So I am not worried about them at all. It's hot here this week. They like the heat. So I'll be watching, will you?
On another note, I swap on SwapBot. The next swap I am in is an ATC baseball swap. There were so many vairations I could go with (have I mentioned I like baseball, hmmm?) but I am going vintage. It seems that I really enjoy the vintage aspect of baseball (as well as any baseball, are you kidding?). Some of these images are fantastic:
I
The guy in the top row looks a bit like Brandon Crawford with those sideburns:

The thing about baseball is that there are so many personalities sitting on that bench, and when they all come together, it makes a winning team. (Dare I say twice in 3 seasons for the Giants?)

And baseball card are another thing that has evolved and changed throughout the years. There is still something so nostalgic in the vintage cards, and I'm not talking money. It could be the memory of collecting cards myself, or looking at my older brother's collection. Maybe it was the crap gum we got with each pack that made the cards smell so sugary that the scent was so strong every time you opened the box the cards were kept in.  Ah, memories...
Anyway, I will be making a vintage baseball ATC, that I hope to show on these pages soon. (I always forget to take pictures before sending, always...) I might even make one to keep for myself. You know, for memories sake.
That's all for tonite. See you at the game!