Celebration Cake Kits!

Some time around two weeks ago I was away from home, feeling not-so-hot, and couldn't sleep. I had already gone through a whole bunch of topics in my sleeplessness--the next day, food, being away from my man. Eventually (far longer than I would like to admit), I was trying to think of a way to help out other people besides the typical money or time donation. I was struck (like a swift kick to the bum) that there are a lot of families here with young kids who may not otherwise have any treat for special days (birthdays, quincineras, mom's new job, graduation, you name it). I remembered when I was young, and dinner was often rice and beans, but we always had a cake for birthdays. Always. It meant so much to my brother and me. I think that the kits will provide a way to nourish the soul as well as the body (okay, a dose of sugar isn't exactly nourishment!).

What was necessary for a good ol' cake? 1. Cake 2. Frosting 3. Candles  4. A pan to cook the cake in that doesn't need washing!  So after much running around to find the basics, I finally had everything together.  The good Lord was kind enough to provide a special on cake mixes and frostings (Pillsbury happened to be the brand on sale), so all I had to do was buy appropriate tasty pairings of cake and frosting flavors. Seeing the look on the faces of the checkout staff with that many cakes was priceless! I had two options for pans--8" food service pans, or almost 9x13" rectangle chafing dish pans. For future information for me (and anyone who wants to do this for their local food pantry)--go with the rectangle. The mix, frosting, and candles all fit well in it without squishing the pans. Also, make sure to mark on the packages what flavors they are AND when the expiration dates are.

Since I had a little extra time today I got the first batch of 28 done (why 28? 28 is what would fit in the boxes I had). Foil Pan, Cake Mix, Cake Frosting, Candles all wrapped in syran and ready to go.  I am so excited to get these babies out to the Storehouse! Eventually, since I had some financial help from friends, I want to make more kits but for special diets. Being gluten free myself, I am aware that it is difficult to eat gf food while on a budget--I can only imagine how much harder it must be while depending on others for your food supply!

Anyway, without further ado, I bring you: a finished Celebration Cake Kit!

(Caution! Cake flavors may suddenly change from photo to photo!)

These kits may not really be nourishing for the body, but I think it will go a long way for the soul!

Can You See a Difference?

Any difference between these photos besides a little less than two months (and a 180 degree flip)?

Okay, so I had to change jeans, but that is the same top, same phone, but different me!

Today marks the official 15 lb day, with another 15 (or 20) to go! I need to figure out how to treat myself for a halfway mark.

Clothing for Future from the Past

So I have been successfully losing weight! 170 pounds on October 22nd, and now 155.5 as of this morning the 14th of January. Not too darn shabby if you as me. Now this means I have options. A lot of my clothing is no longer useable or is headed that way soon due to:

• weight loss! (mostly shirts and underwear/bras)
• age (yeah, most of my jeans are pushing 6 years old now, and many of my shirts too)
• abuse (shirts and pant legs)

When I started on this whole getting-healthy kick I made a pact with myself (and the hubby) that I could have $1 per pound lost as well as $1 for each day I stay in my calorie range...which means I have DATATADAH! $92.50 to use as I please!

Now I know I want a massage (at $50 a pop for the lady I fell in love with at my first massage), and I need clothing. Underwear and bras are taken care of for now...though more will have to appear once I reach stable weight. That leaves me needing new clothes--and that could be difficult.

You see, I am built a bit...curvy. Shirts are not made for people like me, nor are dress pants/skirts. Boobage just gets in the way a bit, and a waist also adds to the difficulty.

The solution? SEWING! I have the power of a sewing machine and a pretty good skill at using it. I also have an awesomely cheap second hand store here (Tienda de Segundas I love you!). At less than a buck a piece for most items I can buy a lot of clothing and still have room for notions (buttons, additions, buckles etc) to make the clothes my own.

My  first eyeopener to this was making a skirt for attending The Rocky Horror Picture Show (we put a showing on here twice a year and I occasionally attend). It started life as a too-small woolen plaid school skirt that hit me at the ankles. It ended as a not-quite-too-short skirt that fit me. The skirt is not quite finished and still needs a couple buckles and a more secure fastening device--pictures will  happen when I get that finished.  Yeah, yeah, I know, a grown woman fitting about in a school girl skirt...At least I have the figure for it again, and there are no complaints from the hubby! Total output for the skirt: $1 as I already had thread, so probably $3 total with fasteners and buckles. Yay!

So now I will be going on a shopping expedition to see what clothes could be easily altered to fit me and look nice all at the same time. Jeans I will probably still buy new, but shirts and skirts tend to be much simpler. I am going to have to find a good Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoon to go, since that is the only time the shop is open.

I will, of course, try to have before and after shots when I remember. I did the skirt so fast (and on a whim) that I forgot to take a before. Oh well!