Step 1 -- Casting on for left handers or paying attention to details

After a rough start, the knitting project is going well. I came to the realization that I actually don't know how to knit. I've never knitted anything except for a few scarves and potholders, mostly when I was a kid. I tried to knit a pair of mittens a few years ago but the mitten was made for extraordinarily long hands (about two inches longer than my own hand).<br /><br />My mother was very talented, she knitted sweaters, gloves, mittens, and hats. She tried to teach me but I didn't have much interest back then (about 40+ years ago...I think I was 11 or 12 at the time).<br /><br />When I started my current knitting project, a simple scarf made out of this cool yarn, I had some problems.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBdNiipIHDIWqHOqRbRxSYgLB0mIricoHce0BY8QFolZxV2Rp5zBEhFD4BEgxK-ISCyOMUfjaOC0wNO1SooiQNbjjdhpTL1LSJlTHzXk8ICzX0MNl3lgaKbjYMI474jBUi6YMiv4yQTcZ/s1600/scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBdNiipIHDIWqHOqRbRxSYgLB0mIricoHce0BY8QFolZxV2Rp5zBEhFD4BEgxK-ISCyOMUfjaOC0wNO1SooiQNbjjdhpTL1LSJlTHzXk8ICzX0MNl3lgaKbjYMI474jBUi6YMiv4yQTcZ/s320/scarf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The first step to any knitting project is casting on for the first row of stitches. For the life of me I couldn't remember how to start. I had a beginners book in my big box of yarn so I pulled it out and read this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1roqhAqa_JVEeIN6l-tJVj_mvvnnb4nK7ZlZ3Ogq6k4ksyzk6F9b_b3Nyr5wDkNhHLg7cqdkFDOkYNsZAvGB7VaXnI_5fyS2_oJuko4VCw6Ie7mxLIemwWPJ1eb_L9VNerCCHsl5e5TO/s1600/Knitting+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1roqhAqa_JVEeIN6l-tJVj_mvvnnb4nK7ZlZ3Ogq6k4ksyzk6F9b_b3Nyr5wDkNhHLg7cqdkFDOkYNsZAvGB7VaXnI_5fyS2_oJuko4VCw6Ie7mxLIemwWPJ1eb_L9VNerCCHsl5e5TO/s320/Knitting+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />I still couldn't figure it out. I couldn't get that first loop to work. It seemed odd, kind of backwards to me. I finally faked it by tying the yarn around the needle and casting on the first row. From there it was easy, just a simple knit stitch, which I remembered how to do. <br /><br />This morning I looked at the book again. The directions, as you can see from above says "Step 1 - casting on for left handers". Aha! I'm NOT left handed, I'm right handed! No wonder it seemed backwards to me. The right hander instructions were on the next page.<br /><br />So what does this has to do with weight loss? Not paying attention to details has been my downfall lately. By lately I mean the past year. <br /><br />I had a lot of weight to lose when I started February 2008. 100 pounds. The first 60 pounds were easy to lose. Then I lost my focus. I lost another 20pounds but it was a struggle. Then I gained back the 20 pounds, then I lost it again. Then I gained it, which is where I sit now. <br /><br />My problem is my lack of attention to detail. I only track a few days a week. I don't always weigh and measure my food. I don't stay within my allowed Points. In other words, I'm wasting my time. <br /><br />The real way to lose weight is to cut back on eating. Exercise is good for you but it won't make you lose weight. When you read how much you'd have to exercise to work off the calories of a single M&M you'll realize that you're not exercising to lose weight. It's one to two minutes of exercise to work off one M&M. Yes, exercise is good for your heart, your muscles, your bones, but it's not really a weight loss technique. <br /><br />I'm living proof that it takes more than exercise to lose weight. I'm faithful to my workouts but I don't cut back on my eating. I don't eat junk, I eat healthy, nutritious food, but I eat too much. <br /><br />Based on my new revelation (okay, it's not really new...I knew I was slacking), I'm changing my goals for the week to just two basic goals. Track my Points and stay within my limit. I've been making this a lot harder than it has to be.<br /><br />Here's something I don't post very often. Me post workout today, where I was a sweaty mess. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7vnoSz6XqnvtRHH3POmpHucTMDWdho1soVXT3zq_CCAUPc65rItlXYQ7zmZsS_A29RSpp28ztrOF31DpnqjPXshMSPZ8Za_6Zy0ZbWI_b2Td_Bd86f1AOamXu1XpFsdfKCpdQC0GvjAb/s1600/postworkout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7vnoSz6XqnvtRHH3POmpHucTMDWdho1soVXT3zq_CCAUPc65rItlXYQ7zmZsS_A29RSpp28ztrOF31DpnqjPXshMSPZ8Za_6Zy0ZbWI_b2Td_Bd86f1AOamXu1XpFsdfKCpdQC0GvjAb/s320/postworkout.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>

Step 1 -- Casting on for left handers or paying attention to details

After a rough start, the knitting project is going well. I came to the realization that I actually don't know how to knit. I've neve...

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The Rare Week

This is a very interesting week if you're a sports fan. You may wonder why, though. Football is barely a month old, baseball is ending, and basketball and hockey have only begun to have training camp. <br /><br /><i>Wait a minute...</i><br /><br />Sure enough - if you're an NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL fan, all four of your teams are working right now! <br /><br />The Detroit Pistons website alerted me to this when they announced that practices have officially begun! I already knew that the Red Wings had a preseason game on Sunday, and the Lions have gone winless in 3 regular season games. Currently, I am listening to Game 1 of a doubleheader between the Tigers and the Cleveland Indians. <br /><br />It's pretty crazy to think about! <br /><br />I know I could get flak for saying that the Red Wings and Pistons are "in season", when clearly they are still getting their preseasons under way. But I like to think that counts. After all, the players are wearing official uniforms, getting together as a team, and being managed by their coaches. They aren't doing individual workouts or pending quality vacation time in Malibu.<br /><br />So what do we do about this rare phenomenon? <br /><br />Enjoy it! Sure, the Tigers aren't going to the playoffs, but they're still playing good baseball! They swept the Twins over the weekend, and Comerica Park sounded like it had playoff atmosphere. Make sure to stay tuned to their last few games, and give them your full support. After all, we can sit there the entire game and analyze how they are going to fare in 2011. <br /><br />When it comes to the Lions, they're only 0-3. They're going to Green Bay this weekend to face a very upset Packer squad that imploded with penalties on Monday night. Not to mention that the Lions haven't won in Wisconsin since 1991. But maybe the Packers will be so lackluster from a short week of practice that the Lions will take the upper hand. <br /><br />Well, maybe not. Let's just take bets on when the Lions will let QB Matt Stafford return!<br /><br />The Pistons have just begun practice, so all wecan take from them is their quotes from Media Day. They have a scrimmage coming up, which may result in a pretty fun dunk contest. Optimism is high, so it's the perfect time to pay attention!<br /><br />As for the Red Wings, we can anticipate a season with fresh players. We didn't make it all the way to the Final last year, and that may be the best result for this team. You can get pretty tired playing from October through June two years in a row! Hopefully that extra rest will be instrumental in getting them off to a hot start.<br /><br />This is one of the only times of the year where we can truly enjoy being a four-sport fan (and if you're a Detroit fan, enjoy the fact that we're a four-sport town). The only other time I can see would be April (in the D!), where the NHL playoffs have started, NBA season is winding down, MLB has just begun, and the NFL has its high-profile draft. <br /><br />But April is still so far away. Enjoy this time now, before it's all over!

The Rare Week

This is a very interesting week if you're a sports fan. You may wonder why, though. Football is barely a month old, baseball is ending, ...

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Fall is in the air!

Happy "hump" day friends, we're halfway to the weekend! Hooray! :)<br /><br />Let's catch up on Tuesday's happenings! <br /><br />Tuesday is WI day for me. Unfortunately I didn't have a loss this week, but I didn't have a gain either, STS. I guess it's better than gaining and I figured this was coming sooner or later. I think it has to do with some of the salty foods I had over the weekend. <u>NOT</u> going to stress over it!<br /><br />I made a delicious breakfast sandwich, who needs fast food, right?!?! ;) It consisted of <span style="font-weight:bold;">3 eggs white, ff cheese</span>, and <span style="font-weight:bold;">2 oz turkey ham</span> all on a <span style="font-weight:bold;">bun </span>for <span style="font-weight:bold;">4 points!</span> Mmmmm good!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLhRKjv0Bsnc63ZMUofNcVRb09qrZeQInpC8rQfRxnHW5BT0Nya7fdbThAQF8B_fniscDxD8Jf5YWF9Jy9DIxKrYcVRRE4OTQagV3ht7KA-956Ela1DWk2-gPcrzHw9QipglH9YqNoa5e/s1600/DSC08799.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522361152992613490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLhRKjv0Bsnc63ZMUofNcVRb09qrZeQInpC8rQfRxnHW5BT0Nya7fdbThAQF8B_fniscDxD8Jf5YWF9Jy9DIxKrYcVRRE4OTQagV3ht7KA-956Ela1DWk2-gPcrzHw9QipglH9YqNoa5e/s400/DSC08799.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />I rounded out breakfast with <span style="font-weight:bold;">1 c </span>of <span style="font-weight:bold;">grapes </span>for <span style="font-weight:bold;">1 point</span>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29Rz59fWc5-eccpIvYWcU5ncsZbpj5nkAC14PCeFvGx47kX8o1EvvFvLsvZO3vxX7TXKBFNTnKNqGQo3Bo_XGbcpRegZ9ksKPWMpKz0nQcKACcGguC6iv1MWhkLCvlDXv6grK6nEW2bop/s1600/DSC08800.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522361004618923650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29Rz59fWc5-eccpIvYWcU5ncsZbpj5nkAC14PCeFvGx47kX8o1EvvFvLsvZO3vxX7TXKBFNTnKNqGQo3Bo_XGbcpRegZ9ksKPWMpKz0nQcKACcGguC6iv1MWhkLCvlDXv6grK6nEW2bop/s400/DSC08800.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />I had a surprise at work today...Hayden came to visit!!! He had his 2 week check up, so him & Wendi stopped by to show him off afterwards!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmkXw1LbF4ZuGxd5GkjYgL3RWEYyOnCXQXtdpmwgM54FWZQUlxKhTY6aFvJq_j9r-lcfQYXiDPcI6eBNDHNK5zP2ujmaKRk1oNl8Oe-9jWWxAOKL-CRb3twumCo8ulSBRjDr9R39F8JJf/s1600/DSC08801.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522360997693285170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmkXw1LbF4ZuGxd5GkjYgL3RWEYyOnCXQXtdpmwgM54FWZQUlxKhTY6aFvJq_j9r-lcfQYXiDPcI6eBNDHNK5zP2ujmaKRk1oNl8Oe-9jWWxAOKL-CRb3twumCo8ulSBRjDr9R39F8JJf/s400/DSC08801.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />We ended up going out for lunch together too! We went to Subway (very close to where I work) and I had a <span style="font-weight:bold;">6 in turkey & ham</span> on <span style="font-weight:bold;">wheat </span>for <span style="font-weight:bold;">6 points</span>. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkIv8Cuu7f8CxOoiM7en2Izd3eaFkXwQ-KKFe1yjz499XY-FEMwMgq5uzXx7gSpPj1GVeLJD4wzLLogpJGimurnfJ7vOPCX1Z2uDDCZ24JZpemtImJ9zEi_kIRxdM-3F_oUc5blZ82iu9/s1600/DSC08802.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522360994699341010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkIv8Cuu7f8CxOoiM7en2Izd3eaFkXwQ-KKFe1yjz499XY-FEMwMgq5uzXx7gSpPj1GVeLJD4wzLLogpJGimurnfJ7vOPCX1Z2uDDCZ24JZpemtImJ9zEi_kIRxdM-3F_oUc5blZ82iu9/s400/DSC08802.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />Wendi and I shared a bag of <span style="font-weight:bold;">SunChips</span>, my half for <span style="font-weight:bold;">2 points</span>. I hadn't had this kind before, it was good, but <span style="font-style:italic;">Garden Salsa SunChips</span> are still my <span style="font-style:italic;">fav</span>!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB3D9kZOr4amAhoS67A1vZ2NSPINbd9eRcNScaIMQqYWla9jZMGrl72bxOsNtWPeZcpEHzIwRTt9Yy31y7CQlKnOWIW_ja0vv5fxAwpbP4lsd7lzmUzKVgZb1658ACj9SDRMVpihRkgO4/s1600/DSC08803.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522360984970226946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB3D9kZOr4amAhoS67A1vZ2NSPINbd9eRcNScaIMQqYWla9jZMGrl72bxOsNtWPeZcpEHzIwRTt9Yy31y7CQlKnOWIW_ja0vv5fxAwpbP4lsd7lzmUzKVgZb1658ACj9SDRMVpihRkgO4/s400/DSC08803.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />I felt distracted the rest of the afternoon...I just wanted to hang out with Hayden!! :) But I got busy and it was 5pm before I knew it and for some reason I was <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">STARVING</span></span>!!!<br /><br />I had some <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/09/finally.html">leftovers </a>for supper right when I got home, <span style="font-weight:bold;">fiesta chicken & rice bake</span> for <span style="font-weight:bold;">7 points</span>. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEaB12AlXnd1_Gh1Lk9_NdfhE_OdIj9_lGeCFt1QMPba-RPNti4Glg_9ID8RND5lqnB_6dNgcEd0mUyFmtgmcnWB0caoEjTuCFq2W8DkeV4mDBw8025-mCQhZ0EnNJTOy32CMfDSjm-SX/s1600/DSC08805.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522360981577816674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEaB12AlXnd1_Gh1Lk9_NdfhE_OdIj9_lGeCFt1QMPba-RPNti4Glg_9ID8RND5lqnB_6dNgcEd0mUyFmtgmcnWB0caoEjTuCFq2W8DkeV4mDBw8025-mCQhZ0EnNJTOy32CMfDSjm-SX/s400/DSC08805.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />I forgot to show you guys what I did on Sunday! I got out all my fall decorations!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfahYXliRS6OnBXLjG8OAaZUj7rfxbngBIZL3Qtu6FBWu8YqNoKzskTQES9sEe0q0oeuB-i_6LKt5i2GugXtEbj-24lyE0qHTRdtqsTaIEWJAkbpL-I0x_M3q8XJMlq8f7JRADIOS3hntU/s1600/DSC08792.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522361527475286594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfahYXliRS6OnBXLjG8OAaZUj7rfxbngBIZL3Qtu6FBWu8YqNoKzskTQES9sEe0q0oeuB-i_6LKt5i2GugXtEbj-24lyE0qHTRdtqsTaIEWJAkbpL-I0x_M3q8XJMlq8f7JRADIOS3hntU/s400/DSC08792.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />My collection grows a little each year!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VBd9cB8nsH0qSIu9DgO394qbJR5mM_mUypVV9fDHaIHq2HNkJN4g4GGsSiFyvPEhvInJ2hjLDsuNxerFYEgB_U7CqLtFz6pobxORCWpfOcz6eZtluI8MY1q5UaPswj9UD4ApM48hwQ55/s1600/DSC08795.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522361518819668722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VBd9cB8nsH0qSIu9DgO394qbJR5mM_mUypVV9fDHaIHq2HNkJN4g4GGsSiFyvPEhvInJ2hjLDsuNxerFYEgB_U7CqLtFz6pobxORCWpfOcz6eZtluI8MY1q5UaPswj9UD4ApM48hwQ55/s400/DSC08795.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />I love this time of year, the smells, the crispness in the air, all the fun activities that come with fall, etc! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqaftld_RlS1YUe2IoXm2J-KPz9Sra_lF2cLUjECyCOZ2uQ4McIfSX32IzFB_0bhn9TYvkvnC-0ghiYh6fnEIJOmEQ8zY3FBF_iB6xnG4PVsdTjJ4UePAgmRBje7ZCPHZ4SzUM1I82uZd/s1600/DSC08796.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522361510742595634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqaftld_RlS1YUe2IoXm2J-KPz9Sra_lF2cLUjECyCOZ2uQ4McIfSX32IzFB_0bhn9TYvkvnC-0ghiYh6fnEIJOmEQ8zY3FBF_iB6xnG4PVsdTjJ4UePAgmRBje7ZCPHZ4SzUM1I82uZd/s400/DSC08796.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESrdM1aa_-errOh704wLlKFKdFBQcO0d-NadS0Wo1DfEySbxByUPQCw6jG_023SXOOwMvPMYHzKHR6w3WZkxL_kSBKII_C0kLop1gMpAXqAmBZ5HjK7Jdf1Dq04cxUdJ5_LmzLBmrnrG0/s1600/DSC08798.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522361504219714434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESrdM1aa_-errOh704wLlKFKdFBQcO0d-NadS0Wo1DfEySbxByUPQCw6jG_023SXOOwMvPMYHzKHR6w3WZkxL_kSBKII_C0kLop1gMpAXqAmBZ5HjK7Jdf1Dq04cxUdJ5_LmzLBmrnrG0/s400/DSC08798.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TUESDAY’S STATS</span><br />POINTS = 20/23<br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining<br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 0 today/0 week<br />H2O = 64 oz<br />EXERCISE = none<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Anyone else like to decorate for fall? I love that you can leave them up SO long!</span></span>

Fall is in the air!

Happy "hump" day friends, we're halfway to the weekend! Hooray! :) Let's catch up on Tuesday's happenings! Tuesday is ...

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