Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Day 168 of 365

I finally broke it.

Yesterday I got home after a long day's work after 6:00. Then, I
  • Posted my tutorial and picture of the pocket tissue cover.
  • Had dinner.
  • Hemmed my husband's pants.
  • Made sugar cookies.
  • Guided my daughter in picking corn and digging potatoes.
  • Decorated sugar cookies.
  • Made salsa.
Then tonight I got home after a long day's work after 6:30 and I:
  • Had dinner.
  • Tied my husband's tie for tomorrow.
  • Finished up making salsa.
  • Posted my blog.
  • Tried on clothes my mom gave to me.
  • Packed for my overnight trip to my daughter's tomorrow night.
  • Paid bills.

    Something was missing from both those days.

    After 120 consecutive days I broke my exercise streak. For two days in a row, I have not ridden my exercise bike.

    It was a conscious decision. A hard decision.

    I could have (maybe) got myself downstairs and on the exercise bike for one short mile like I've been doing this last week or so, but didn't. I couldn't face another day of doing a half-hearted attempt at keeping the streak going.

    I knew I could not dedicate the energy/stamina/focus to bike as long as I should. On these work days, I've been barely squeezing in a mile. I've just been going through the motions.

    If I'm exercising, I need to put my all into it. And I'm not.

    I'm not giving up exercising all together, but I am giving it up right now, temporarily. Hopefully no more than just this week. For quite some time before I started back to work, I was biking anywhere between 3-5 miles a day. I need to again find the dedication to ride like before.

    But I'm exhausted - both mentally and physically. If you've been on this journey with me, you know I've been exhausted like this before. I feel like I can't catch a desperately needed break. I know in a few short weeks my schedule will be more manageable, so I just need to hold on.

    I'm grasping with every last bit of energy I have.

    I did do a good deed, though. The sugar cookies I made yesterday were for the school secretary, who shared some onions (hence the new batch of salsa) and carrots from her garden with us. So I returned the favor with some tomatoes from our garden and some carrots from my oven.

    Tuesday, August 16, 2011

    How to Make an Easy Sew Decorative Pocket Tissue Holder - Day 167 of 365, Tutorial Tuesday

    Another day, another dollar.

    Another long day at work and another day of a tutorial. I'm not sure why I started doing these tutorials. But I'm really not sure why I decided I should do them on Tuesdays, the day of the week I always work.

    Actually, I do know why. Because Tutorial Tuesday sounds better than Tutorial Friday or Tutorial Sunday.

    As I'm starting to rethink my scheduling and balance of work and home, I'm starting to rethink this Tutorial Tuesday thing. I do like doing them (even if no one watches them). I'll work on them for at least a couple more weeks then I'll be re-evaluating whether I'll continue. (The tutorials, that is. The daily pictures will absolutely continue.)

    Today's video tutorial is pocket tissue covers. Something I wish I had with me at yesterday's funeral. Unfortunately, I only had McDonald's napkins to offer our daughter. They sufficed, but some pocket tissues would have been much more gentle on the nose and eyes.

    They are really easy to make. Just a few minutes and you'll have one. 
    Easy Homemade Decorative Fabric Pocket Tissue Holder Sewing Project
    For this project you will need:
    Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.


    Find the step-by-step how to tutorial to make your own homemade decorative fabric pocket tissue holder right here:

    Here are some made after watching the tutorial. Here's what she said: I can't believe how fast these many went together.    Thank you again.  This is the first project I've gotten done a head of schedule in a long time.  
    Wow, she was busy! 

    And Diana made some, too: I want to thank you for the wonderful Pocket Tissue Holder Tutorial..Its was fast, fun and easy!! I love it..I made 2 tissue holders in minutes, These are going to be given to my 2 granddaughters. Thank you so much.
    Do you have pictures of anything you've made after watching one of my tutorials? I'd love to show them off!