Sunday's Stitches.....

Although it was girls' weekend and typically we spend much of girls' weekends it in the studio, this weekend we did not. We went shopping, we went out to eat, we went to church, we went out to eat, we watched movies, we went out to eat..... you get the point - NO CHORES (no cooking) this weekend, just fun.

While Sabrina was snoozing on the couch (during one of our rented movies - that SHE PICKED) I did manage to work on my Sunday's stitches project a wee bit. Not sure what it is, exactly, just wanted to put some of those stitches into practice (fly stitch, french knot, backstitch, chainstitch.) I think I'm going to keep elaborating on this one for a few weeks - 'cause it's really fun (although my hand stitching skills "really" need some work!) As I examine these - I'm almost tempted to stick to "machine" sewing - which I'm pretty good at, but hey - that is the purpose of Sunday's Stitches - PRACTICE . And I need A LOT of practice!

NOW...... can you keep a secret? This is the set up for the start of two of Sabrina's birthday presents. I'm not going to tell you what I'm making just in case she pops by to pay me a visit here. Suffice it to say -- I spent two days looking for just the right "skull" fabric and the perfect shade of "cobalt" blue. The skull fabric actually isn't too bad as it's a bandana print (which I like) and the skulls are a bit obscured. I'm not a big fan of the whole skull thing - but Sabrina is intrigued by them "artistically," -- so I indulge her.

And finally - a word about bootcamp. I packed my stuff up last night before I went to bed. Good thing - as I didn't sleep well last night in anticipation of my first day of camp. I tossed and turned all night. I did get up at 4:45 a.m. (without the alarm,) had a piece of grain bread with organic peanut butter (as we were told to make sure we eat so we don't pass out !!) got dressed, and off I went.

It was a blast! It really was. I can't believe how much energy I had at 5:30 in the morning - particularly after not sleeping well. I can see this as something I am going to be able to stick with because at 5:30 am - excuses NOT to work out really aren't available. I mean, what else are you doing at 5:30 a.m? It's not like something will "come up" and prevent you from your workout. Oh, and as for those other gals (and you KNOW who you are :) who were going to join me but backed out..... you're gonna be sorry!!!

Cathie's Going to Boot Camp..... (oh Crap!)

Yep - Monday morning, bright and early (5:30 a.m.) while y'all are still tucked in dreaming about color combinations, quilting patterns, stitching designs and cheesecake(!) I'll be sweating and crying during my first class of bootcamp. I've been reading about and hearing about Adventure Bootcamps that are popping up all over California and New York and we finally got one here in the Triangle.

After months (really it's been the last few years) of exercising (on and off) and drinking protein shakes - I still have not achieved the discipline I am searching for and know that I need to get to the level of fitness I desire. It's not coming easy to me like it did when I was younger. I need some hard core motivation and discipline - so I enlisted.

I met with my bootcamp instructor yesterday for a very um "enlightening" hour of getting weighed, measured and the highlight of the experience - getting measured with CALIPERS. CALIPERS - NOT FUN. You can't escape the truth - of the calipers - they DON'T LIE. By utilizing the measurements of the calipers, your age, and a few other hideously embarassing variables, my instructor was able to determine just how much of Cathie is lean muscle and how much of Cathie is pure fat. Um....... not good.

ON the upsdie - I've got my plan mapped out and I'm ready. I am SO ready. The bootcamp I've signed up for is a 4 week on, one week off - 5 day a week program with a gym membership thrown in. I plan on going to bootcamp at 5:30 and trying to get back in to the gyn in the afternoon at least three days a week for strength training and to ride my bike at least one day.

I've been reading Jillian Michael's books (all three of them) and I like her hard core approach. Jillian makes it very clear that you get out of fitness what you put in to it and a few 30-60 minute workouts a week just ain't gonna cut it if you have serious work to do. It's got to be a 24/7 commitment. But I already know that. I've done this before, successfully losing almost 40 pounds, and keeping it off for many years. I KNOW what it takes and it DOES TAKE the 24/7 approach.

Now that I'm older and have so many more responsibilities - it's so much harder. But I do know one thing - perseverance pays off. And I DO keep trying.

I won't be blogging about this journey, but I will post weekly updates on the sidebar - for accountability! So wish me luck as I go at this once again in a new direction - with a renewed sense of purpose!

Sabrina and I will be doing some girlie stuff and hanging out this weekend. We had planned on spending the weekend in Virginia Beach, but the weather is supposed to be stormy all weekend, so we're staying around here.

Do keep me posted as to what's going on in your neck of the woods!