{I didn't realized I had this much to say.}

Hello.

  

Meet my friend's son, Charlie. He is approximately 9-months-old. He's super cute, loves to eat things, and {of course} is examining his mommy's Gussy wallet.

Only babies can put Gussy products in their mouths. Sorry.

 

Charlie wants to open his mommy's wallet and show her the inside. He thinks Gussy is so rad. He told me.

 

Speaking of Charlie's mommy, look what Lindsay painted for me:

 

 

 

 

My very own personalized GUSSY artwork. It's for my sewing room. LINDSAY IS THE COOLEST! This piece was painted with color suggestions only. And a bird. But that is it! She totally surprised me, totally made me fall in love with it at one glance.

Ahhh... I want to bring it everywhere I go. I love it. 

Lindsay Girl -- you rock!

{read Lindsay's blog!}

  *

Almost a month ago I emailed someone special and together we worked out a groovy deal. More details to come ;)

I had her pick some of my fabrics...

 

And then I sewed them into this gorgeous, GORGEOUS laptop bag:

 

 

 I totally want it for myself. I LOVE IT! I've been super mega blessed to not have to fight with myself to give away my Gussy products. I think of the 200+ items I've made I've kept 3 things? Maybe 5? Five is the max! I love them all so much, and in order to "keep" them I just  make more :)

*

OK! Gussy intercession. Some of you know I've been working out. This is week #2 for me. I've kicked up the length and intensity of my workouts and so far, so good :) 

However, {sigh...} this morning I was a little crabby. I think using the word "grumpy" while writing a blog post the night before made me be Mrs. Grumpy in the morning.

Yes, that is my excuse.

I reallllllly didn't want to get up to work out at 6:15 am, and so I stomped and huffed and puffed around our apartment. See? Gussy is a real person. Lindsay says it helped me to burn more calories. I think Hubbs has different opinion ;)

*

Time for more photos!!! 

Here is a another custom order I finished recently. A diaper bag + travel diaper/wipe case for a mom-to-be:

 

 

 

*

 OK, last story ;)

Yesterday I used some vacation hours and walked myself to the bus stop earlier than usual. I came home, opened all the windows, turned on some music, and scribbled off the following items from my to-do list:

-photograph diaper bag/wipe case custom order

-photograph Lindsay's painting

-sew M's laptop bag

-photograph M's laptop bag

-sew a Shady Gus case

 

-repeat previous item

-work on a custom order for B

-oil my sewing machine

-go to the fabric store and purchase more materials for more custom orders {they end Nov. 14 -- this Saturday!!!}

-package up 7 orders and bring to the Mailman.

*

 YEOW! I love super productive days. 

:) They make Gussy happy.

*

Good day.

 

{no title. shredding is taking all things from me, literally}

I'd like to write this post with a little letter that resembles a 7th grade love note:

Dear Jillian, Although your popular workout, 30 Day Shred, has proved to be so full of results, tonight we aren't on good terms. I truly had a wonderful day with hubbs. We relaxed at the house for the morning and afternoon, then decided to not be Ikea virgins anymore and ventured to Canton, MI to tour their amazing warehouse. I mean store of "I want..."

Anyways. Once we spent four hours there we decided to go home. Maybe this was because I was starting to sound like a whining 4-year-old instead of an almost-24-year-old, but that is besides the point. The point here is that I was so tired when we got home that I did not want to work out. Not. At. All.

However, I did.

Go ahead, you can smile.

However, I did not smile {or laugh} during your workout. Tonight was Day 2 on Level 2 and it was pretty tough. I believe it was harder than Day 1 on Level 1. That is saying something. However {again}, I completed the 20 minute workout with more 30% sass than I've ever experienced in my life. Not only were my legs on fire, but I have a strained muscle in my hammy, my hair is a hot mess and I could hardly breathe.

Also... I found no humor in this workout. Which is sad. I typically enjoy your jokes.

Chop, Chop!

To end things on a positive note I would like to thank you for the loss of bulk in my face {I sure am lady-like, huh?} and for the slimmer body. Today I tried on a skirt and could ALMOST zip it up after three years of not wearing it. So that was a nice feeling.

Love,
Gussy

PS. See you tomorrow night.

PSS. I'll give you one smile. But that's all. Remember, your workouts are minimizing my bust.


OK, that's enough "pretty" for Gus. She's just too tired.

{30 Day Shred update + more}

Well folks, it's been over one week since I started the 30 Day Shred workout program. Recently, after working out, I feel horrible. My stomach has been the main issue. Initially I thought maybe it was because I ate something bad. However... now I'm starting to wonder if it's because my abs are getting some serious attention??? Maybe??? I hope that is the reason, because I can live with that. And, if that's the case, then my eyes have not been deceivin' me -- things sure are lookin' good :)

Another update is that I have worked out for 8 days straight. I am super proud of myself for that -- because it is a major accomplishment. GO GUS! Ha ha.

A third update would be that after working out we eat dinner... Well, most times. In a perfect world that is what happens. That has caused me to become full pretty fast. By pretty fast I mean half way through my dinner I say, I'm full, and then look at Zack like he should say, Eat three more bites Maggie. But he doesn't. I suppose that is a good thing? Stop when you're full, right?

Right.

I'm really having a hard time figuring out when I should advance to Level 2 on the DVD. Do you have suggestions? Experience on this? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Also... I saw the opening blips {I'm not sure what else to call them} last night and I kind of cringed at a few of the upcoming movements in Levels 2 and 3. They look tough. But then again, so does Jillian :)

Like I mentioned earlier, I have done the Level 1 workout 8 times now. GUSSY IS A PRO. Almost. Sorry... he he. Let me start over. I have done the Level 1 workout 8 times now. Every time I watch it there are a few parts that always make me laugh:

C'mon. Chop, chop, {Jillian is telling the other girls to get up off the floor.}

And the other:
Your neck is not invited to this party.

I'm hoping Zack is getting as much of a kick out of this as I am, because every time she says those funny lines I seriously laugh out loud. And, {of course there is more to say} at the end of the workout Jillian says something like, Great job! That's it for Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred. And every time Gussy says, Thanks! I figure what better time to talk to myself when someone is "talking" to me, right? :)


OK, it's now time for a numeric update.
The part you've been waiting for this entire time, but didn't realize it until now.


In one week this is how my body has changed:

Bust - lost .25"
Waist - lost .5"
Hips - the same {I thought they went down but I guess the tape measure lied. DANG!}
Thigh - the same
Calf - lost .25"
Upper arm - gained .5" {yikes!}

Total inches lost: 1 -- yippee!

I suppose seeing an improvement in 4 of 6 areas is good, right? I'm trying not to expect too much too soon. Jillian has me all excited with this lost 20 lbs. in 30 days thing. I'd just be happy with 20 inches lost combined! Ha! That'd be somethin'!

Gus whats to know: What types of changes have you made this week?

PS. Zack recently told me, Maggs, that jacket is looking big on you. It's not so filled out anymore.

And to correct any possible damage to my self-esteem/hurt feelings he said, But don't worry. It's still full of sass.

Oh good! Whew!

Awww... my man knows me so well ;) ha ha!!! I secretly think Zack prefers the 30%/70% ratio because let's be honest... it makes life more fun. I mean, what other wife can be witty in a flash all the while sporting a cute smile? Not too many people! Maybe that is you? If so, I'm glad you're here. Sooooo glad.

Another thing Zack told me recently was that once the 30 Day Shred was over I could buy 2 new pairs of pants, 2 new shirts, and 1 new dress. That is great, because all I need are two outfits for the week. Just because I work at home and are most often glued to my sewing machine, I do go out in public on a daily basis! He has good intentions though :)

PSS. I didn't really think this post out in advance which is why I keep saying, And, and Also, and Another. Things just keep coming to mind.

Gussy has a lot to say.

Have you been to my Etsy shop recently? Have you seen I am up to 70 sales?! That is so incredible. Although it is late in the day, no appropriate word comes to mind to show off how grateful I am for this recent... umm... recent change in my career? Is career the right word? I suppose I'd say so. I mean, it is paying the bills, and I am so happy, and I am incorporating my two majors into my life ON A DAILY BASIS! :) I remember just a short while back when I was at four sales. Man, that seems like light years ago. OK, fine, it was January 15th.

Who knew back then that Zack's invention of The Sweat Shop would become an appropriate statement?

Clearly my hand is not raised.

Who has time to raise an arm when there is ironing and zipper-sewing to do?

breakfast is served!

GOOD MORNING!
Well, if it isn't Thursday already ;)

Dinner was served in Heaven again last night --Lasagna, garlic butter rolls and corn :) I'm not even kidding when I say that Zack tried telling me dinner looked great, but instead drooled a bit. I, as a witness before God, saw it happen. Poor guy ;) I love him! He is good for my ego :) What did you have for dinner last night? Once dinner was cleaned up I actually got to SIT DOWN & RELAX! It was amazing! I switched purses because talking about my Etsy bag yesterday had me just so excited. Took care of some online banking and receipts, ya know, the usual "evening routine." Then it was lights off at 11 p.m. Good thing, because Zack woke up today at 6:30 a.m. and started cooking breakfast for us. He is such a peach ;) He made scrambled eggs, maple sausage links and those DELISH orange frosted Pillsbury cinnamon breakfast rolls. OH MY GOSH IT WAS LIKE CHRISTMAS MORNING, but early! :)

MMMMMMM, finally I walked into the kitchen with some drool ;) haha. Thanks honey for breakfast :)

However, you know there was a bit of Gussy-ness to last night, don't you? You know I'm not sharing something. You can just feel it.

Alright, I'll tell you...

We had just gotten into bed and I thought, It's time to share some stories with my husband. So I began my story telling, and I talked, talked, talked. But halfway through I had to stop. I was out of breath. Not even kidding. I guess my little lungs don't hold enough air for a Gussy to get through all her stories. That, or I should practice the whole PAUSE then BREATHE then TALK thing. It was quite disappointing, but 100% funny nonetheless :)

I'm pretty excited about tonight(!!!) because I'm going to have some time to work on my sewing. (Zack is out with a bud.) This is important for two reasons:

1. I need to start some Christmas presents
   
2. I made ANOTHER sale on Etsy!!!!! :) woohooooooo. A kind woman from Arizona bought this zippered pouch last night:
   

So, if you were keeping an eye on it, it is now gone. Stay tuned for some updates on Monday. This weekend I have lots to do with my shop, more things to add, etc. I have now made two sales! Sweet!!!!!

I AM SO HAPPY :) And thanks for being happy with me!

Monday night Zack hung up some Christmas lights. I'll see if I can get some pictures of them soon. They are cute. He did a great job. Now we aren't the only house on the block without Christmas lights up. But, I will say we'll be the LAST house to have a blow-up Santa, Reindeer, Snow globe or anything else with similar qualities. We just don't do that on University Street. But we do have a HUGE (it IS huge!) wreath on our front door.

I'm really glad no one has stolen it in the night. And I would know if they did, too, because not only is it HUGE (20" in diameter) but I check every morning when I get up. Right after I've checked the lawn to make sure it's snowed a bit. You might recall that Sunday night was the first night we had some real snow. Yup. Every morning there isn't a new snowflake outside I pout back to the bedroom and get back in bed for at least seven minutes.

Oh, whatever. Tell me you don't have a little morning quirk of your own...

Another wonderful accomplishment today (the first was my Etsy sale) is that I have about 20 Christmas cards to send out still. Out of 70. I am on a roll. My mother-in-law suggested I just start signing her name after ours so she can have hers out on time, too.

Merry Christmas!
Love,
Zack & Maggie
and Mom Helak and Mom Whitley and all other family members including Dad Helak, Dad Whitley, Tiffany, Matt, Nicole, Collin, Jack and Scruffy.

Just kidding, there isn't a Scruffy in our family. Yet.

;) LOL, I think that would be a bit silly. But maybe I'll try it next year... So stay tuned ;)

See what happens when I have a lovely breakfast prepared for me? And I've had a cup of coffee run through my system? You get to enjoy this fact-filled blog with (let's say it together)

70% nice and 30% sass

;)