New Year's Resolutions

Before we get started, I'd like to say that the free download pattern in the entry below is a quilt designed by Cherri House of Cherry House Quilts. I'd feel badly if she didn't get credit for that beautiful work!

Now, for today's post, I'm not really the type to make New Year's Resolutions. And, I'm definitely not the type to keep them! However, when Lindsay dare's me to do something I almost always fall for it, especially if it's at all competitive.

As you long time followers know, I have been trying to lose a bit of weight, be healthier and get in shape. Well, I've been a little bit successful, but then I hit that dreaded plateau. Lindsay has been trying to do the same thing, off and on, since I've known him. In the past we have had little competitions, along with support and encouragement from each other when we're being nice, or taunting and teasing from each other the rest of the time. Maybe you remember this photo?

So, I was on the phone with the infamous Lindsay Moore yesterday. We were relaying how well we've been doing with our current workouts when we both admitted we'd been eating horribly. With this admission, a new competition was made and we thought it would be fun if you joined us!

Here's the rules:

You cannot eat the following items (and just for Lindsay, you cannot swear), if you do, you have to donate $5 to charity (we have a pot down at HQ that will be donated each time it gets full). This is a strictly "On Your Honor" competition. No cheating, your honor is worth more than 5 bucks!

No white bread
Butter
Crackers
Sugar Cereals
Movie Popcorn
Candy
Cake
Ice Cream
Cookies
Brownies
Hot Cocoa
Hot Chocolate
Chocolate latte’s
Chocolate anything
Potato chips
Unhealthy Fast foods
Soda pop
Swearing

Instead of weighing in every Wednesday, we will give you our current total and of course have a prize giveaway! If you would like to edit this list by adding your particular weakness (you'll notice Lindsay has my chocolate addiction covered) feel free. If you would like to remove anything from this list you are cheating!

Weigh in Wednesday!

Hi ladies,

First I would like to point out that nobody gave me a heads up yesterday as we discussed last week. I am remembering this Weigh in Wednesday all on my own! As has been the case for quite some time now, I did not lose or gain. But, since it's only been a few days since my last weigh in, I'm not surprised. How did you do? Or, is it too early to ask?

Most of you know the game, but if you're new leave a comment today and you can be entered to win our prize. What will we give away this week. HMmmmmm. How about a Be Good Paper crafting kit to make this fun project sent to us by Sarah Hodgkinson. Be Good was last years Christmas line, but it's still super cute! Then, I think the winner will also need Buck Naked Alphabuttons and Ornaments and something new to get excited about. I think maybe a Chemistry Paper Crafting kit would do the trick!

Weigh in Wednesday Winner

Today’s post is coming from me, Eric. Julie is gone today for Quilt Market in Houston. We thought she was going to Houston tomorrow but yesterday afternoon she got an email from the airline reminding her that her flight would be leaving the next morning (this morning) at 6 am. I was upstairs when she got the email but she yelled loud enough the whole neighborhood could hear her. After she calmed down we got all of the work done that we thought we would get done today. Julie will be back on Monday.

Ok so todays winner is Kristin who said “I probably gained about 5 lbs in scrapbooking supplies this week, but fortunately managed to lose one pound in body weight.”

Kristin send us your address and we’ll get you out your goodies. Send your address to kristen@cosmocricket.com

Spreadin' the Cosmo Cricket Love

Good morning everyone! Are you feeling LUCKY?

We decided that it wasn't fair for just one person to win a Chemistry set because honestly, evey girl should have one! And so, we have picked not one......... not two........ but FIVE lucky winners!!!

But, before we get to that, check out what Cherri House did with our Hey Sugar fabric. Cherri is a quilt designer for Andover. It's kind of funny because after Eric and I had decided to license our artwork through them, Cherri, Eric's cousin, contacted us and said she'd be making our quilt for their trade show. Then, Cherri's daughter, Lizzy, also began designing fabric for them. So, it's kind of like a little family reunion at every textile show. You could say only in Utah.... as the joke goes, but Cherri and Lizzy don't live in Utah and Andover is based out of New York. And, before Andover, I had never met either of them. I guess it's just a small world!

Cherri's quilt she is calling Sugar Snap.

Lizzy's fabric line called Lizzy Dish.

And now, for todays winners, in random order, and everything. Send us your address and we'll send you your prize.
1. Kristina 11:39.
2. Gail C 12:09.
3. Charmaine 5:58.
4. Tonya 11:30.
5. Jody 7:14.

Congratulations. And, for those that are new to our blog you're in for another treat. Today is Wednesday. Loyal followers know that this means Weigh in Wednesday (yes, I stole that from Donna). Anyway, no pounds lost, no pounds gained. Tell us how you did, or leave us some encouragement and you could be our next prize winner.

Thanks for stopping by and check back tomorrow to see if you won!

Weigh in Wednesday

Hallelujah! Those two pesky pounds that re-visited last week have left the premises! WAHOOoooooo! I'm back ladies. Recommitted, more determined and slightly thinner. How did you do. Let us know or give us some encouragement and you might win a prize!

And, just for fun. Here is a great way to get rid of all the candy in your house. Make a cute gift and give it to your neighbors. Maybe there's a really skinny girl in your neighborhood that could use a few pounds!

My Rescue Plan

As predicted, the number on my scale increased by two pounds. Which really got me thinking about how to make it go back down. This is when I realized that government involvement might be what's been missing from my weight loss plan. You see, I've noticed that government involvement is really good for making assets shrink. So, I scheduled a meeting with President Bush and told him I was in need of a government bailout. He told me he would make sure they got involved. He said not to worry if at first the numbers increase. He said they might increase for several years, but that it would be well worth it, because after a while, one night I will go to bed and wake up in the morning 1 trillion pounds lighter. And, this is the best part......... the loss will stay with me for years to come despite all efforts on my part to gain it back. It's almost like a miracle!

Tell me how you did. Do you want the government to get involved in your weight loss plan?

Did I Mention TV Adds 10 Pounds?

Well, the scale didn't. It remained the same, which I am thrilled with considering everything I ate last week! Eric told me I was great on TV, but being my husband, he's not the most accurate opinion out there. Lindsay hasn't seen it yet, so I'll wait for the truth from him. I can't bring myself to watch it.

You know the drill. I'll pick two winners tomorrow to make up for last week!

UHHhhhggggg!!!

The scale did not budge this morning! Could it be my diet? Definitely not, even with Lynette and Lindsay tempting me at the Halfway Cafe (our nickname for the diner by the office) I ate very healthy. I didn't even have popcorn or treats at the movies!! Could it be not drinking enough fluids? No!!! I drink at least 8 cups of water a day, usually more. And yes, I am taking many more trips to the ladies room. Could it be a lack of exercise? Well, maybe. I did skip two workouts last week with the holiday weekend and my anniversary. But, that still means I did four workouts. I was hoping for at least one pound lost! Could two workouts really make that much difference? Have I hit the dreaded plateau? Am I destined to remain at this weight indefinitely? Am I over-reacting? Is there such a thing as over-reacting when it comes to numbers on a scale? Who will the next winner be? Oh, the mysteries of life!!

Weigh in Wednesday

I know it's late in the day, but I have lost two more pounds. This makes a total of 8. I'm not sure where it's come off since my pants don't feel any looser. I think my big toes feel smaller though. Don't you think that eventually it will have to come off my thighs? How are you all doing?

On another note, I have a friend that I worked with about 15 years ago. He emailed me when I moved back up to the Logan area. He even said he'd drop by Cosmo Cricket on Monday. He stood me up. Can you believe that? I don't know that I've ever been stood up before..... Eric just rolled his eyes, and although he does that often, even he doesn't stand me up! My friend claims to read the blog, so I have to ask, "Beamer, where are you man? Are you going to come by or not?"

I'm Melting! I'm Melting!!

Two more pounds of butter have melted away!!!! How did you all do? Let me know, then check back tomorrow to see if you're the lucky winner.

By the way, I'm not the only thing that's ready to melt. I have a little snowman friend, that I think is going to get pretty hot!

Not enough Blogging. Not enough Jogging.

Nothing lost, nothing gained
The number on the scale
Made me feel pained.

I've exercised, but not enough
And I've eaten some fattening stuff.

This week I promise to recommit
You can join me, we can get fit!

Post your results for the world to see
Then find out tomorrow if you were lucky.

And, since it's hard to not eat trash,
Here's a favorite recipe from my stash.

Mango Salsa

• 1 mango - peeled, seeded and diced
• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
• 4 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1 can black beans
  
  Mix it all together and let the flavors mix for 30 minutes before serving...... although we can never wait! Serve it over grilled chicken or salmon.
  

As if Posting Your Weight isn't Embarrassing Enough...

When Eric told me that he thought I should do this, I thought, "yeah it will be a little bit embarrassing," but seeing myself, no make-up, hair sticking up all over the place, trying to do push-ups......... girl-push-ups.......... well, I just want you to know we're like family now!

Anyway, you know the drill, post your weight loss and maybe you'll win a prize! I will keep everyone's names, except Maria C from last week, in the box and add all the names from today. So, the longer you stick with us, the better your odds of winning. One more thing, we have lost Maria's address. So if you know her please let her know, or if you are her please resend it so we can mail the prize!

Confessions of a Butter Lover

Here's the honest truth, I am 5' 10" tall in my bare feet. I way 172 pounds and I'm pretty sure 170 of them are on my thighs. My pant size is a 14 and sometimes thats a bit snug. According to the Body Mass Index this does not make me overweight, but I am at the very top of the healthy weight range. In fact, if I gained 4 more pounds I would tip into the overweight range. And, let me assure you that I don't have the "muscle-mass-weighing-more-than-fat" problem! In fact, after trying to do push ups with Eric the other day, I'm pretty sure I don't have any muscle mass at all!

I have been eating well and exercising every day (except Sundays, of course) for a week and I have lost two pounds. I like to think of pounds in measurements of butter. I have lost two boxes of butter!!! I'm not sure from where, but I can guarantee you that it wasn't from my thighs!

So, this is the beginning of my Weigh In Wednesdays (yes, I stole that from Donna). If you would like to join me on Weigh In Wednesdays, today you can post your weight or your goal weight or just some encouragement for the rest of us. Next week join us and post your weight loss. Tomorrow I will draw a winner and have a prize that weighs at least two pounds sent to them.