Monday, January 7, 2013

How to Lose 5 Pounds in Two Days?!


Come down with the flu.

I gave up and crawled into bed on December 21st. I would not have cared had the Mayans been right, after all. The also-afflicted-but-Darling Huz insisted that I try to eat something on the 23rd, bless his heart. I managed to drag myself up onto the scales to see how much of a toll the fasting had taken, but didn't feel well enough to gloat over the 5 pound loss. ( I do NOT recommend this method of dropping the Final 5.) The bad news is that our holidays completely sucked, but the good news is that I was too miserable to care!

We are both feeling better (finally!) and the five pounds are back where they belong. I didn't get to don a single sequin or bit of bling or feel like wearing anything even vaguely festive. But since no cloud is without its brighter lining, I decided to spend my long recuperative sojourn on the couch learning how to get around in SketchBook Mobile on my Kindle Fire. I figured out enough to make an Anime-Me ( or Janime, as I think of her) on this thoroughly nifty little app.

This is what I wore during the entire holiday season, completely accessorized, with only slight variations when self-respect and basic hygiene demanded a change of clothing.



I send you all belated-but-heartfelt wishes for a Happy New Year. Mine's getting better already!

Please come see all the real women at Visible Monday , hosted by the adorable Patti.






45 comments:

  1. Ah so sorry for the dismal interlude, Jan! The cartoon is priceless, however, esp with the switch to TP. So familiar! Thanks for sharing it with Visible Monday, and never get sick again! : >

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    1. I can go with never! Glad to be almost back to normal. Thank you for the kind wishes. I've really had fun with animated me... she can do a lot of things I can't!
      Hope the holidays in your new home were just the BEST!
      Enjoy the new year in all it's potential.

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  2. Your Not Quite Visible photo made me laugh. I hope you get your gusto back very soon!

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    1. Thanks, Joni. Gusto not quite back, but tastebuds finally perking up again. I thought nothing would ever taste good again!
      Stay well, and enjoy the season!

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  3. Your painting make me smile! That's the style I prefer at home, even when I'm not ill, without the TP(;-)) but with the herbal tea. Hope you feel much better very soon!


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    1. So happy to bring a smile! I'm all excited about dinner out with the Huz in a couple of days. I get to wear real, grown-up clothes, and high-heels! Am feeling much better, thank you, but I'm SO sick of herbal tea.

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  4. HAHA! Funnily enough I had a similiar experience. I came down with a nasty case of gastro or noro virus on my holidays and was peversely pleased with the ensuing weight loss that allowed me to zip up my trousers more easily!
    Happy New Year! Hope you are on the mend.

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    1. Yikes! I'm so sorry to hear that. You have my absolute sympathy. Hope you are on the mend, as well ... I'm really looking forward to getting out and about, just a little.
      Hope we ALL have a better year than last!

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  5. I was on the same "diet" last week--and I wore the same thing you did. What a sad, sorry state I was in. I can sympathize with you. Glad you're feeling better!

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    1. Wasn't it just the worst? I haven't been that sick in a long time. Hope you are much better and ready to rejoin the world. I will not put off my flu shot next year, I swear.

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  6. I am so sorry to here you were sick , I had the same thing and also was to weak to even type of my blog merry Xmas to everyone , but it is good that you are feeling better. I did get to watch a lot of lifetime and hallmark channel which was fabulous during the holidays. Happy New year to you !
    Carrie

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    1. Looks like a lot of us were down for the count. Worst holiday ever. Hope your babies and hub didn't come down with it! I'm really ready to get out of the house ... have dinner with the Huz planned for Wednesday, maybe a movie if the cough subsides!
      Enjoy your New Year, Carrie.

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  7. Yay, you're back! I've missed you. :(

    So sorry to hear that you were sick during the holidays. Ugh. I had a bad head cold and can relate to carrying around the roll of TP after the tissues were gone.

    Happy new year, it's just got to get better from that point, right?

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    1. Awww. Thanks for the kind words, Alison. That's a bunch of us down with colds and flu. And you are quite right, the only way out is up!
      Am feeling well enough to appreciate the New Year. All potential! Ready to get out of the house, too.



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  8. Sorry to hear you've been so sick. I love your drawing, though! Glad that you're feeling better!

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    1. Thanks so much for the kind thoughts, Val. The upside was that I had to stay quiet enough to learn the drawing program ... that doesn't happen often! Glad you liked it ... I hope to develop my little anime-me quite a lot more.

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  9. I'm glad you are better! Love all of the descriptions on your sketch, especially the TP - I think we've all been there! :)

    May all the days of 2013 find you in good health! :)

    julee @ D.I.Y. Louisville

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    1. Aww, thanks! I'd have never had time enough to just sit and learn this little drawing program had not illness dictated a couple of sedentary weeks.
      Let us hope that this is a more peaceful, kinder year for us all. And healthier. Definitely healthier.

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  10. Oooh, sorry that you were down for the holidays. Glad you're feeling better!
    Happy New Year!
    That sketch or you is just too good!

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    1. I don't even remember Christmas. It feels so good not to feel rotten, I'm just enjoying the idea of a whole new year and all the potential. Lots to do.
      Glad you liked the sketch ... I'm getting a kick out of computer generated art.
      Happy January!

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  11. Oh ma gosh! I'm so sorry you were so stricken by the cold/flu bug for the holidays. But I have to say your little drawing and descriptions up there made me laugh. Things we can allllll relate to. Every so often I look over at my ancient cardigan (lying in a wad in a dark corner) thinking I need to donate it...but I know I'd miss it when one of those miserable days roll around.

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    1. Glad you got a kick out of my little anime-me. I am determined that I'm going to dig out all the shoddy old tights and tops and cardigans and sweatshirts and just pitch most of them. Donations are well and good, but some of what I'm hanging on to is to sad to even donate!
      Stay healthy, and enjoy all the pure potential of the New Year!

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  12. It's great to see someone who can find a way to make others laugh even when they are feeling down. So glad to hear you're feeling better. And, so excited I found your wonderful blog.

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    1. Glad to meet you, too! And thanks for your kind words ... I think one of the most problematic parts of style blogging is how to present "self" in some thoughtful,useful kind of way beyond just "look at me" pics. The amazing thing is just how many women actually manage to do such a great job of it! Particularly those of us who are fully mature, and know a bit more about our authentic selves.
      I'm looking forward to seeing your own take on things in 2013!

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  13. Aww, Jan! So sorry to hear you are feeling crummy. I have been feeling under the weather myself and I just thank God for my blogging friends who give me a connection to the outside world when I am homebound. Here's to hoping you are on the mend and your spirits greatly lifted!!! ~Sarah

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    1. I'm shocked at how much I am eating up all this sweet sympathy! Really, kind thoughts DO make you feel better. I'm distressed to hear you're feeling erpy as well, and send my best hopes you get back to your lovely normal self very, very soon.
      I'm feeling well enough today to go with the Huz to the big city to see "The Hobbit" before it disappears from the big screen. Will take a pound of cough drops along for insurance!
      Thanks again for reading and writing!

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  14. Hello! A lot of people were completely bedridden over the holidays with flu, so sorry you got hit too! Hope you get back on your feet quickly! Happy 2013!

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    1. Misery sometimes loves company, but I would not wish this flu on anyone! Yes ... shocking how many of us succumbed. Thank you for your kind thoughts, stay well, and enjoy the New Year!

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  15. Sorry to hear you've been sick, glad your feeling better :) great drawing...

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    1. Thanks for your kind wishes, Claire. Feeling much better now and am obsessed with finding ways to make the drawings work with my style blog. Take care yourself, and thanks for reading and your own writing!

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  16. Welcome back to almost visibility. And creating an alternative you while you were "gone" is pretty cool. Let's see what she's wearing now...hmmm, pointy cowboy boots perhaps?

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    1. Hey Pao! Thanks for the kind words. Glad you liked "Janime". Here's the thing about cowboy boots. I have a closet full from decades of "horsing around" here on our place ... we've always had Quarter Horses, and they have a different context in my head. A lot like camouflage everything ... you can't wear it with any irony or humor when everyone is wearing it for real during hunting season (and even NOT-hunting season.) Context, context! I'm pretty short and squat to wear winkle-pickers, but love it when others pull it off! So mod-rocker-Liverpool in my mind!

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  17. Oh dear, poor you! You have to laugh though, it's the only way to cope! The cartoon you is VERY familiar during bouts of illness, especially the clutching of the toilet roll (so rough on the nose though...!)
    There will be plenty of other opportunities to don your sequins this year, don't worry!
    Thanks for your comments on my blog, I appreciate it. xxxx

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    1. Thanks for the kind thoughts,Curtise! (You are one of my heroes, did you know?) Laughing is a sure sign of being on the mend. I'm in high spirits just 'cause I don't feel like poo anymore!
      Speaking of rough TP ... I'm such a cow. The Huz made a grocery run and brought back very cheap TP and forgot the Kleenex. I pitched such a fit that he ran out and bought the better, softer TP, but forgot the tissues completely. I will make it up to him, I swear!
      Thanks again for reading, and for your own writing especially!

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  18. Love Janime. Glad you're improving!! I was a little off, but alot of it was self inflicted. Maybe you can have a belated NYE party, even if it's just to show us your outfit?!!

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    1. Hey, Jean! Thanks for the sympathy ... I'm in a great mood just because I'm no longer dog-sick! Happy you liked "Janime"... am still obsessed with putting her to work on my blog. I hate having my picture taken, so maybe she won't mind standing in.
      Thanks again for all the inspiration, for reading but particularly for your own writing.

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  19. Oh, so sorry to hear that you were deeply under the weather. I have missed your humour and positivity these last few weeks. The upside does appear to be your discovered talent in Sketchbook Mobile. I love your Janime and can't wait to see more.

    Take Care!

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    1. Sue! I'm feeling much better, thanks, and having a blast playing with a new medium. Not sure I have uncovered any real talent. I have a BFA in painting that I got a hundred years ago from Cornish Institute in Seattle, and did a year of Masters at UW ... until the money and enthusiasm ran out. So more than talent, the CGA is probably just another tool that I can use in contented mediocrity!
      You take care of yourself, as well, and know I'm looking forward to what you dream up in the coming year! (Really, I can't get over your trench coat ... nothing short of BRILLIANT!)

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    2. A BFA in painting and a year of Masters?!! Well dang girl, now I just wanna see way more art from you, whatever the medium.

      Thanks for the sweet words about my coat {blushing as a redhead can}

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    3. Aww, thanks Sue. I'll send you some snaps of a few of the things I have left one of these days, if I can figure out how to get them to you (urk.) I was not being modest when I mentioned mediocrity, so keep expectations low!

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  20. Jan, I hope you are feeling much better.
    I love the picture you created. Wow, I am in awe of your talent.
    I just bought 3 boxes of kleenex so I won't run out anytime soon.

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    1. Thanks, Darling Debbi ... am feeling almost high because I am on the mend and not feeling like complete poo anymore. My hope is that because you ran out and bought Kleenex (which cracked me way up, BTW!) you won't need them, except to polish your glasses, perhaps, or blot your lipstick! Stay well. You do NOT want this stuff. So glad you liked Janime. I'm having fun working on her, and getting her to work for me!

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  21. Wow I love the Janime! Hope you feel better now, I had my share before Christmas and it was not fun!

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  22. Oh, thank you. I'm feeling much more like my everyday self. I've only been listening to the news again and am shocked at the number of folks who have had this dreadful bug. You have my sympathy and empathy. You thoroughly deserved your pretty party outfit, and I hope you continue on the mend.

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  23. Hi Jan,
    I've nominated your blog for what's called a Liebster award. It's meant to help new/smaller blogs with promotion and networking with other bloggers. If you want to participate, this post has all of the details:
    http://prettysparklythings.blogspot.com/2013/01/ive-been-nominated-for-liebster-award.html
    Donna
    www.prettysparklythings.blogspot.com

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