Aurora Featherweight

So -- here's the little ad Mary put in the local "Shopper" newspaper:

SINGER FEATHERWEIGHT WORKSHOP!!

Rita Farro LOVES HER SINGER FEATHERWEIGHT. (She attended a three-day workshop, put on by the famous Singer Featherweight.com people -- and now she thinks she's an expert!!)

Bring your Singer Featherweight sewing machine to the First Annual Aurora Featherweight Workshop and she will share everything she learned. Including:

• How to remove the old dry, lube from your Featherweight motor.
• You will add NEW, FRESH lube to your motor.
• How to adjust the belt, if your machine is sluggish.
• When and where to properly oil your Featherweight.
• Troubleshoot the most common problems.

You'll also receive a photocopy of an original booklet, with complete instructions about the care and maintenance of your Featherweight. The booklet also describes those six standard attachments that came with your machine.

You will be stunned by the beauty of the narrow hemmer -- and if we have time, you'll learn how to use your ruffler!! Nobody ever improved on this original design.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FEATHERWEIGHT!!

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How did this happen? Well, Mary has a Featherweight, and it's about time for it to be oiled and lubed again...

And Mary's friend Nancy -- who DOESN'T ACTUALLY OWN A FEATHERWEIGHT -- put a lot of pressure on us to do a "workshop" in Aurora.  And her friend Linda DID recently buy one...so -- hey -- WHY NOT??

We also showed Mary's finished "t-shirt quilt" -- using the ragged edge flannel technique...

We set up in a lovely big room at Mary's church...we used Mary's Featherweight as our "demo model"

Then, the women went to their own machines to do the actual cleaning, lube, etc.

At some point, it dawned on me that I was actually in WAY OVER MY HEAD...

WHAT HAPPENS IF, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEIR MACHINES DON'T WORK PROPERLY??

I didn't get a good group picture -- but THEY DID GREAT!!

At the end of our half-day workshop, everybody plugged in their Featherweight, (I CROSSED MY FINGERS) -- AND THEY RAN PERFECTLY. Wow. I was thrilled. Thanks to Carmon and April Henry -- the REAL DEAL -- I knew just enough to help my students clean, oil and lube their Featherweight sewing machines.

 If you need any help with your Featherweight, go here...great tutorials, excellent advice, and they sell lots of parts, bobbins, etc: The Singer Featherweight Shop
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MMWI:  249.6.  My body is very happy right now -- so it's enjoying this little plateau.  This week, the bad habit I'm gonna work on is NO SNACKING after 8:00 PM.    

My Aurora Visit

The week after I got home from New York City, I made a quick trip up to Aurora, Minnesota to visit with Mary.

This is what greets you at the Hibbing, Minnesota airport.

A LOT of taxidermy...

A wall with 17 famous people (only one woman -- do you see her?)

My favorite!! The moose head is sticking out of a painted mural. 

I love a building and/or institution with a sense of humor.

We had a delicious pasty for lunch...

And breakfast with Mary's Aurora version of the TMBC...

A rare photo of Mary driving.

We did some GREAT shopping at the hospital thrift store, and an antique mall. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE TREASURE..!!

But, there was an ACTUAL REASON for me to be in Aurora...and you will NEVER GUESS what we were doing!!

Fat Camp Update

When I posted my two Frankensewing pictures the other day, I didn't realize they would strike everybody as my "before" and "after" photos from Fat Camp.

Many of you have written to ask what was my key to my weight-loss success.

Hey...if I knew the answer to that question, I'D BE RICH!!

Back in 2009, I saw a picture of myself at Elliott and Emily's wedding. I weighed 325 pounds and looked terrible. OH MY GOD, I was fat. I never wore that outfit again -- and that photo caused a click in my brain.  Over the next two years, I lost nearly 100 pounds.

But this time around is different. There was no one moment...no click in my brain... I just got lucky.

Really. I unexpectedly had the chance to go to Fat Camp -- I was in a position to say yes -- AND I DID!!

Weight has been my lifelong battle. I wrote the book, remember? LIFE IS NOT A DRESS SIZE...and I have always tried to make my life about something more important than how much I weigh. Which is why I have been reluctant to blog about "my weight loss journey".

The irony, of course, is that as much as I say I don't want to be defined by my weight -- I absolutely know I will have a better life -- and a much LONGER life if I can lose weight.

So, if anything I've done might inspire somebody out there to make some changes, I've decided to blog about it...a little...now and then...

Being aware, of course, that THERE IS NOTHING MORE BORING THAN SOMEBODY TALKING ABOUT THEIR LATEST DIET...

One thing I want to say is that there is no one "KEY" to success. What works for me may not work for you. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to go to Fat Camp when I did. It changed my life. But, when I break it down...these three big things are actually three simple little things.

It's about outlook and habit...

1. I STOPPED WORRYING ABOUT FOOD. Before Fat Camp, I spent an inordinate amount of time every single day worrying about shopping, cooking, and planning what I would eat, what John would eat, whether or not we'd be going out for a meal... how to use the leftovers...yada yada.

Having a little Styrofoam box delivered to my room three times a day, at the right time, and in the proper proportions, was LIFE CHANGING. I learned that I didn't have to love everything I eat...food is just fuel...it's not my happiness. A $2.50 Healthy Choice frozen entree is fine with me. If I'm lucky enough to go out to lunch with friends, I take half of it home for supper. If I feel like dessert -- my friends are happy to share it with me, and I am thrilled with just a few bites.

2. I DON'T SKIP MEALS. Ever. One of the biggest mistakes I've made in my life was skipping meals...thinking that if I was NOT eating those calories, I was doing good. But, now I understand that I shut down my metabolism. NOW -- I NEVER SKIP MEALS. I get it...I really get it...

Eating at regular times has become part of my job. I eat breakfast by 8:30. I love breakfast!! It can be cereal, eggs, oatmeal, yogurt or fruit. I eat lunch by 1:00, and supper before 7:00.

3. I QUIT SITTING IN MY CHAIR. Before Fat Camp, I was sitting in my chair 10 or 12 hours a day. SITTING IS THE NEW SMOKING. I joined the YMCA, I go to Swimfit classes 4 or 5 times a week, I get on my treadmill, I take the kids to the park, I clean the basement, I walk around whenever I can...if I'm at the grocery store, in the parking lot, or at a thrift store -- I take the LONG WAY around. And then I do it one more time, just for good measure.

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When I arrived at Fat Camp, Conn (my trainer) told me I was not the oldest client he ever had, nor was I the fattest client he ever had...But, at 67 years old, and nearly 300 pounds, I was definitely at the top of his list, "Least Likely To Succeed."

Yet -- here I am. Still doing it...making different choices, every single day, feeling better, and losing weight...bit by little bit. I am THRILLED to be able to take Lilly to New York City, and walk for miles, climb the subway steps and not worry about looking for a bench because I need to sit down. (good thing, because THERE ARE NO BENCHES in the Big Apple.)

Here's the big thing. I AM GRATEFUL. Grateful to be able to make these choices. I don't beat myself up about how I got this fat. It took a long time to gain the weight, and it will take a long time to lose it. That's okay with me. But I don't worry one bit about hitting a certain goal, or losing "X" amount of weight. No matter how much I weigh, I'm going to make the most out of EACH day I'm given...

Because I know LIFE IS NOT A DRESS SIZE...

Sewing Weekend, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin!!

TIME TO MAKE YOUR TRAVEL PLANS for Beaver Dam, Wisconsin!!

MARY AND I have been invited to present our ALL NEW MIDWEST YA YA SISTER SHOW at the Nancy's 2017 Sewing Weekend in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. I AM SOO EXCITED!!

 May 4-6, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

It's the BEST GIRLFRIEND WEEKEND you can imagine!!

It is such a wonderful event!!  I absolutely love going to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin for Nancy's Sewing Weekend. 

They hang a wonderful quilt show.

During Mary's January visit,  TMBC went shopping for some new projects and ideas.

The best part of Sewing Weekend is that they OPEN THE WAREHOUSE!!

The last time we did our presentation in Beaver Dam, Judy and Chris (the Ya Ya Stalkers) came all the way from Portland, Oregon!!

One of our themes is Girlfriend Travel.....

Mary and I are EXCELLENT TRAVELING GIRLFRIENDS!!

We are looking forward to hanging out with Mike...(the President)

And doing some WAREHOUSE shopping of our own!!

John makes sure everybody gets on the buses -- to be taken all around town to the various locations...

GO FOR IT!! YOU DESERVE IT! Sewing, laughing, learning, visiting with your old friends -- making some new ones. IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS, PEOPLE..!!

LET THE FUN BEGIN...!

Nancy's 2017 Sewing Weekend in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

Frankensewing TWO WAYS

It's been five months since I went to Fat Camp.

I cannot believe how much my life has changed. In soo many ways...all for the better!

And, all along the way -- FRANKENSEWING has made my journey interesting and fashionable!!

At first, I had to use my Frankensewing skills to make work-out clothes that would fit me.

My pre-fat-camp fashion show. I had to make every top BIGGER...in this case, I put together two shirts to create ONE.

Then, along the way, as I continue to lose weight...(one ounce by ounce)...now I get to use my Frankensewing skills to make my clothes SMALLER..!!

Again, I put together TWO shirts to make ONE.  Only this time -- smaller!!  This San Francisco shirt was a 3X, and I cut four inches off each side, recut the armholes, and added sleeves from another shirt. It took about 10 minutes.  (great picture, Sandy!)

Here's the big question -- what do women do who cannot sew??

2017 Easter Scavenger Hunt

For some reason -- I cannot load any photos up to the blog right now. So that seriously cramps my blogging style....and the pictures from Easter ARE DELIGHTFUL!!

But, hey -- life is all about compromise. And, even without pictures, I can share my MOST ENTERTAINING EASTER SCAVENGER HUNT!!

Lilly and Warren are 8 and 4 this year.  THE PERFECT AGE...
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When Lilly and Warren got here, I started them off with this verbal clue:

I think the first clue for your hunt should be about fun...
so it's hidden under the puzzle that is done...
(they only had to think for a minute before the RUSHED to the puzzle table)...and found the next clue:

#1: To start your Easter Hunt, go to the room with the sink…
Then, to find your clue, look for something that is PINK…

#2 This clue is for Warren…now here’s where you must be…
Go to where your trains live…to find Clue Number THREE…

#3 GOOD JOB, KIDS, way to work together as a team…
Now go look where you lay your head when you dream…

#4 Now, look around and think about CLUE NUMBER FOUR
It’s in a white bucket on the other side of the big yellow door…

#5 Once upon a time, Lilly painted this little chair blue…
Now, look under the seat, to find your very next clue…

 #6 CLUE NUMBER SIX might a hard one to get…
Check under the bed of Grandpa’s favorite pet.

#7 For your very last clue -- you’ll have to GO OUTSIDE..
Look for your Easter gift…near something YOU RIDE…

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The scavenger hunt took them all over the house, and then outside.  It was a beautiful day, and they ran and ran.  At every clue point, they found two bags...with two different toys...two butterfly nets, two bottles of bubbles, two kites, etc.  Mostly summer toys from the Dollar Store.

But IT DID NOT MATTER.  Neither one of them cared much about the presents I'd painstakingly wrapped (in grocery bags).  It was ALL ABOUT THE HUNT.  They figured out every clue in seconds...and, clearly, I'm gonna have to ramp up my game!!

Where is Easter Dinner?

For the last ten years or so, I've been going to my niece's house for Easter dinner. At the time, both Ross and Elliott were living in distant states -- and John and I would have been alone. I was grateful for the invitation...and delighted NOT to be making a big holiday meal.

My sister Ronda, her daughter Nicole and me. 

This picture is from a coupla years ago...but you get the idea. Lots of people, plenty of food...

In the good old days, we had lots of little ones for the Easter Egg Hunt.

Life has been moving at warp speed...and last Wednesday, I realized that I hadn't heard from Nicole. Hummm...I wonder if she's having Easter dinner? Maybe she's downsizing her party? Maybe we're not invited?

So, I texted her:
  
Me:  Hey, Nicole!   Do you want to come to my house for Easter dinner?
Nicole:  That sounds great...no, wait... I think I'm having company that day.
Me:  Anybody I know?

Then, I actually CALLED HER...(welcome to 1996, eh?)....and said I was afraid she was trying to get out of making Easter dinner.

She assured me that was not happening...she just assumed I would assume...that kind of thing.

So -- dinner was at 1:00.

TOMORROW I hope to have a current photo to share -- along with this year's Easter Scavenger Hunt!!

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MMWI:  _249.4_______

Whatever the number ends up being, I am pleased with the week.  I even had a cream puff for Easter!!  But I didn't go crazy...my habits are so much better nowadays...I go to four or five swimfit classes every week, and THAT IS SUCH AN IMPROVEMENT in my life habits, I can hardly believe it myself.