Am I up for the Challenge?

I bought this pattern. Amy Butler Weekender Bag. I thought I could use it for traveling as I do so much for work. I like how it looks. The size the shape.

But it just sits there giving me the stare down. Then I read blogs like this. Conquering Amy Butler and get more intimidated.

It's a very popular pattern. It has been blogged and blogged about. The most common thing I've seen in the feedback was that everyone that finished it was so proud of them selves for not giving up. From pin scars to using binder clips to get the job done, this bag is gonna take me down.

I have the fabric, I have the machine but do I have what it takes?'

Only thing I have in my favor is that I was able to do this pattern Amy Butler's Chelsea Bag. Fabric is Shopping Girls and Iron Work both by Michael Miller that I got from ShuShuStyle on Ebay.

Moving on the better times

So as I've been writing that I want to make personal changes, I've decided to do somethings that are completely about me. Funny how that works. First on the list is a class I'll be taking on "nuts and bolts of quilting" next month. Should be interesting as I snagged myself up a new Bernina Virtuoso 150 QE sewing machine. It's the mac daddy compared to machine I inherited from my mom. Next I signed up to do a "Garden Apron Swap". This is so new to me that it's got me all a atwitter.

I want to modify my blog to be more like a cooking/crafting/traveling format. This means more new pictures and more frequent posts. We'll see if I can make it a project too.

Inspiration

Vancouver Canada.jpg
Originally uploaded by amysgreatadventure

Sometimes in life you realize that things are not so rosey. That maybe life is really hard. You begin to wonder about how you got here and how you are going to move forward.

Recently, I realized there was someone in my life that is truly inspiring. She's always been right there. Always. She's not a world traveller or Harvard educated, she's not a career woman or a feminist. She's my grandma. She has endured almost 90 years now. She's overcome hard times, difficult marriage, loosing her daughter, being raised on a ranch, working herself to the bone doing things most people hire someone to do.

Her hands are not a bit crippled from arthritis, she's broken her back, she has health problems.

Most of all, my grandma has strength and she is silly and fun. Most people having been through as much as she as been through would have turned sour. She is still out there garage sale hunting and seeing people and as active as she can be.

She was the only grandparent we had much contact with growing up. When we were "the accident", it was my grandma that came to help us for months. The accident was bad, it put my mom in a wheelchair for a long time. My brothers were pretty beat up too. I only had minor injuries so I spent my time with grandma. She would make me the BEST pancakes and we'd play old maid for hours.

Today she is what inspires me.

Second Quarter of the year.

So coming back to a post a few months ago, I have started on the journey to reconstruct myself. This includes my outlook on life, people, my hobbies and talents, my health and future. Whether I am working on my spirituality or my fitness level, I am now doing something each day to improve me. Some would say improving on perfection - oh well anyway, I know I need a tuneup so to speak so here I am.

To say jogging is my favorite thing to do would be wrong, but I am finding it to be a quick easy way to get my heart rate up so this spawned a new ipod nano. Yoga has been added for the off running days to keep me flexible. Do I really want to mention the diet portion? Oatmeal - yes quaker oats, for breakfast each day and a banana chocolate protein shake for lunch. Dinner well is still a challenge as I live with a foodie husband.

I want to say I've started this task. That I'm trying to improve my sewing skills, my garden and my mindset. I find that some of my hobbies are intensely meditative and without them, I tend to be angry and frustrated in life.

I have no set goals other than to be happier and healthier in 1 month and more so over time. I am open for advice, support ectera, but ultimately I have to do the work to see the results.

Energy Food

ramenandrice
Originally uploaded by amysgreatadventure

A day to remember. When I was in Honolulu for my TNT Century Ride we ate at this great hole in the wall place. Best Ramen and Rice I've ever had. Great atheletic food.