2/5/13

Sew Sad


This is where my sewing machine sits.  Do you notice something missing?  Like, the sewing machine?

I had to take it into the shop today.  Yesterday I was working away on the top-stitching for my "I'm A Little Biased" piece for the It's All About Me blog hop.  I'm doing my applique pieces with a straight line stitch, and so it's best if I sew very slowly.  Everything was working fine when I turned it off yesterday.  When I turned it on today, I felt strangely out of control with my stitching.  It seemed as if I couldn't slow down enough to sew close to the edge of the pieces as I needed to.  Then I switched to a buttonhole stitch, and it became obvious that the machine was refusing to slow down.  I have a setting that controls the stitching speed (within limits, of course), and it wasn't making one bit of difference.  It worked if I used the on-off button, but not with the foot pedal.  Bummer.  Oh well.  I've been thinking it was time to take it in for service anyway, and I've been having a little trouble with the tension.  These things seem to have a way of working themselves out, don't they?

Fortunately, some things are very reliable.  Take my little buddy here:


Or don't.  Actually, don't.  I want to keep him.  You'll have to get your own little buddy.

I've been on the Curves Complete diet for a week now, and I've lost two pounds.  Today I met with my coach for the first time.  I'm enjoying the workouts very much.  The diet is fine, as far as diets go.  The food tastes good, and I don't feel at all deprived or hungry.  Still, I love to cook, and diet food is boring to cook.  I miss gourmet cooking at least as much as I miss the gourmet food.  I keep telling myself that I'll be on the diet for less time if I'm good and don't cheat.

Today I set a goal of eating healthier snacks and fewer snacks of Dove Promise chocolate bites.  The chocolate bites are on the diet, but it seems wrong somehow to be substituting candy for kale chips.  Plus, I miss eating fruit.  So today I spent some time on the website looking at the "exchanges".  It seems I can "exchange" snacks of fruit and nuts for the more ominous-sounding kale chips and protein bars.  Today I picked up some apples and bananas at the grocery store along with some Nature Valley Crunchy Granola bars and some almonds, cashews, and walnuts.  Hopefully those will work better than kale as stand-ins for chocolate.  What do you think?  Yeah.  I'm not too sure either.  Oh yes, and I tried some veggie sausage patties for breakfast this morning.  Nasty.  Gack.  Don't bother.

Tomorrow, since I don't have a sewing machine (not one I want to use, anyway), I'm going to plant my tomato seeds, and then I'll probably make a quilt sandwich.  Quilt sandwiches are actually on my diet!  Ha!  OMG, I'm so funny sometimes.


22 comments:

SewCalGal said...

I hope your machine has fun at the "spa". I do so like to think of mine going to a sewing machine spa vs repair. Given the price, I just feel better thinking she is getting pampering. Either way I know yours is missed, but hopefully she'll come home soon feeling 100% better.


Not sure which vege sausage you tried, but we've had good luck with Morning Star brand. Not all vege sausage is equal, but the reduction in calories is worth it. great job at losing 2 lbs in your first week. Great discipline! I know you'll reach your goal.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.bogspot.com

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Oh my, sounds like the sausage left a bit to be desired. Perhaps, as Sew Cal Gal suggested, another brand will be less objectionable. I'm a huge pork fan (altho i eat it less than once a month) so sausage is a rare and delicious treat a few times a year.

Your sewing machine space looks forlorn and naked. Sadness appears to have taken over the location. Best to do something else for the time being. I'm tying one quilt, machine quilting another and trying to crochet altho my wrist appreciates it more when I don't.

Happy February, Barbara, give that Smitty-cat a scratch behind the ears for me.

The Thimblemouse of Country Crossroads said...

I was relieved to see that it was only your sewing machine that was missing...oops, that didn't come out right...I saw 'sad', an empty space and my mind went right to "where's the cat?" - "whew".
Congrats on your new healthy eating lifestyle! I am SO NOT a cook - but I've learned to embrace my kitchen over the last year and a half... and now -60lbs later, I actually enjoy cooking (well...most of the time) and am constantly trying to recipes and ways to make healthy eating delicious because I LOVE TO EAT! A little secret - I have a little 'chocolate' EVERYDAY! Keeps me sane! My fridge is NEVER without a bag of dark choc M&Ms! NEVER. So don't think of your Dove choc as 'wrong' - unless of course, you eat the WHOLE bag in one day..haha. I have 30 M&Ms each day - which would be like 3 pcs of your Dove. GOOD LUCK!!!

Rachel said...

LOL, you do crack me up!

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

I hope you get quick turnaround on your machine. I hate to take mine in because it is some times gone three weeks!

Lynne said...

Try not to eat the quilt sandwich all at once!

Hope your machine comes back soon!

Celtic Thistle said...

Hope your machines visit to the machine hospital is brief and that you are back in harness soon!

Congrats on the 2lb loss too.

Lyndsey said...

Well done on your weight lose this week. Don't give up on the veggie sausages,you just need to find the right brand. Some are very yukki but here in the UK we can get some that are delicious and a lot less fat than meat ones. With two veggie daughters I had to find an acceptable alternative as they are a good standby for quick tasty meals.

I hope your machine is soon back from the machine hospital and stitching better than ever.

Kate said...

Hope your machine is back soon.

Congrats on sticking with the diet and exercise plan.

Dana Gaffney said...

Debbie was just having trouble like that with her machine and it was the foot pedal, lots of lint and dirt built up in it. I hope you get it back soon, you have a lot on your plate right now, sadly it's not food.

Jan said...

They way I count it: 2 pounds lost + 2 pounds not gained = 4 pounds!

I love quilt sandwiches, cheap in calories, more expensive per inch than prime rib!

Thanks for making me smile today!
God bless,
Jan

greelyrita said...

Ya, some of these veggie pretend meat things are gross! Who comes up with these recipes?? Enough people are looking for healthy alternatives that it looks like regular sales but really it's just masses of one-timers.

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

I hate when I have to take the machine to the shop I always worry until it's back. Stupid I know. Good job on the diet this week I know it can be hard especially for those of us who love to cook. My kids are all vegetarian and they love Morningstar Farms so maybe give that a try. The crumble is ok. Keep up the good work.

Snoodles said...

Our daughter is encouraging us to eat some of the veggie alternatives....have you tried the Qorn brand? It's better than many of the others, in our book.
Congrats on your weight loss!

quiltzyx said...

I like the sewing machine spa thought. And it does sound like a foot pedal problem to me too. In any case, hope your machine is home soon.

Congrats on sticking to the plan. I know what you mean about some of the vege "meats". I was gifted a bunch of vege frozen foods, and have been pleasantly surprised at how good they are! Hold on, let me go look in the freezer for the brand.....it's Morning Star. The only one I didn't care for was the sweet & sour 'chicken'.

Ruth Ann said...

Gotta love those quilt sandwiches!

Betty said...

One of my machines would sometimes refuse to stop when I let up on the pedal. I asked my friend who worked at the Sew & Vac about it and she told me to whack it against something to dislodge the lint that builds up inside. It worked! I hope yours will soon be back home, safe and sound!
I am having to cut fat from my diet and I don't care for the veggie stuff either. I found turkey sausage to be quite tasty, better than the regular pork stuff in my opinion. It could be a good compromise if your diet allows it.

“Old World Goodies” said...

AHHHHhh, know that feeling all to well, hope your baby will be home soon with you again.
Congrats on the diet deal and sticking with it.
YOU can do it

Teresa in Music City said...

So sorry your baby is in the hospital! But it will come back better than new and ready to tackle all those wonderful quilt sandwiches. I have to say though, it's a sad commentary when our sewing machines get to eat better than we do :*D

KatieQ said...

Two pounds is a great start. I have to admit, even though the Curves Complete food choices aren't bad, after 4 weeks, I am bored with the diet. Hopefully, I can keep focused and stick with it.

Junebug613 said...

What a bummer about your machine. I hope it's back in it's cozy nest soon. I'm such a picky eater, and I don't like many vegetables. I'm glad you're finding positive ways to stick to your plan.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

If you were closer, I'd loan you a machine (or two) while yours is being fixed. Oh well, you'll just have to go enjoy a yummy quilt sandwich while you wait (sounds better than that kale).