Finishes and Celebrations

Hey, Friends!

Who would have ever thought we’d say 90˚ plus days are cooler?  “Thank goodness it’s cooler today.”  And we’ve had rain for several days.  Not everyone, of course.  Mom lives about three miles from me, and there are days when one gets stormy downpours and the other gets only a sprinkle.  Must be on the edge of the cloud…

DS’s birthday is next week, so we’ll be celebrating this weekend.  Those of you who have been around here for a while know that in our family, the birthday person gets to choose the meal they want.  This will tell you something about my cooking skills… he wants Leek and Potato Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.  Guess he doesn’t care about the temperature!

And then the next week is Mom’s birthday!  She hasn’t told us her meal selection yet, but I did get the Gnomes Row – that was originally intended for Mother’s Day - framed.  The frame size isn't exactly perfect, but I do like that a bit of the onion-skin dyed linen shows more.  It turned out okay, don't you think?

for Nicole

Next I stitched a couple of the Stitcher Sisters – a freebie from The Primitive Hare.  She has some other beautiful designs, and a great piece in the JCS Halloween issue, Halloween Town!  I did make a few changes, but isn’t the chart just a guide?  They’re finished into little pin pillows, and my first strawberries (thanks for the encouragement, Carol)!  They’re filled with emery to keep those needles smooth.  These were sent to a couple of my South Carolina Sister Stitcher Pals - links are below the photo.

for Karen

And finally, the long awaited (didn’t it seem like forever?) doctor’s appointments are over for now.  He said there didn’t appear to be any significant blockages, but due to my risk factors we would try to prevent any more with exercise (guess stitching really isn’t J), diet, and medication.  He recommended a Mediterranean diet and a wellness program offered by the YMCA.  They request a prescription for this, so when that arrives I’ll go find out more about it.  This is another sort of relief, as I’m sure you can imagine.  I’ve learned that many of you have gone through some of the same issues.  

To all of you who have been so encouraging during this process, a great big thank you.  Your hugs and kind words in comments, positive thoughts and prayers mean the world to me.  Without them I probably would have been more of a basket case.

Blogging and stitching friends are just the best!

I'm grateful for neighbors with vine-ripened tomatoes!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Summertime ....

♫♪♫…and the livin’ is easy…Fish are jumpin’…and the cotton is high… ♫♪♫    Oh, wait!  You’re here now, aren’t you?

Hey, Friends!

TuSAL for June was Tuesday, so here I am catching up.  See the side bar à

I’ve been working on completing a project from a Getaway Weekend with Clara Blalock of The Stitching Parlor in 2009 called Tea with the Queen.  I thought all the stitching was done, but as sometimes happens when you look closer...there was some satin stitching left to be done.  Then there is sewing the pieces together – and there is still the navy, velvet bag that all the pieces go into to be done… but here is what is done.  My LNS, The Stitch and Frame, is planning another weekend in September with Clara.  Go over and check it out.

Later I stitched on the first in a series... we'll see how that goes.  This is Plum Street Sampler’s, Give.

For those who wanted an update on my health issues – the appointment with the cardiologist is Monday.  The follow-up visit to review bloodwork revealed that I am borderline, but not diabetic; thyroid and vitamin D levels are off, so there are medications for that; osteopenia (related to, but not as severe as Osteoperosis) so weights should be added to my exercise routine – can one add weights to the needle?  Oh, I know, heavier q-snaps!
  

I appreciate your concern, thoughts, and comments!

I'm grateful for stopping smoking 2.5 years ago!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Giving Thanks

Hey, Friends!  Thank you all SO much for your encouragement on the gall bladder attack and removal surgery.  I went for the post op visit and everything is fine.  I need to get blood work done, and will go back to work on Monday, November 29.  It’s over, and I’m progressing well.  The surprise has been how long it is taking to get my strength back, but they keep telling me to take it easy.  You know, if these four little incisions cause this much pain, etc, how in the world does anyone survive a tummy tuck!

I’ve been very lucky recently!  DJ from Tickled Pink in Stitches had a drawing on her blog for a Prairie Schooler, Stitch to Win Against Breast Cancer chart and the cutest pink Little Gems with a precious pink and green scissor fob.  How lucky am I?  Then Pat Winter at Gatherings had a drawing for a $30 spending trip at the CSN Stores and I was the lucky winner there, too.  Thank you SO much ladies!  I’ll post when I complete the prizes! 

If everything goes as planned, Thanksgiving dinner will be a bit smaller and the house less sparkling than usual, but will follow the tradition of being here.  DS is coming to help, so I won’t have to lift the gobbler, etc.

On the stitching side of things, I didn’t win the argument…previous statement… “And here I sit, arguing with myself that I don’t need to start collecting the Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart series.”  They’re all ordered and awaiting arrival have now arrived.
Yes, I’ve been doing some stitching, but don’t want to post the things I’ve been working on since there MAY be a couple of gifties in the group.  I will try to remember to get photos before they leave to show you later.   

Thanks for stopping by today for a visit – and I always love to read your Needler’s Points.  Again, thank you so much for sharing your experiences, kind words, prayers, and positive thoughts.  I know that’s why I wasn’t fearful in the least.  Have a great weekend preparing for your Thanksgiving! 

Peace♥Love♥Joy
and Happy Stitching

Charlene♥SC

Good News

Hey, Friends!

Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement.  I am to report to the hospital in the morning Wednesday, at 10:00 and the surgery is planned for 12:00.  As far as we know now, it will be laparoscopic.  DS is driving me, and my parents will be there, too.  I’m guessing I won’t be online for at least a few days, so I’ll be checking in with you later! 

Y’all take care. 

Peace♥Love♥Joy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Chill in the Air to Fall Back

Hey, Friends!  I just realized that today is the New Moon, so it’s time for a TuSAL update.  Here it is… and can you tell that Halloween is passing and Christmas is coming?  If you’re interested in learning more about TuSAL (totally useless stitchalong), please visit Dragon My Needle. 

Well, honestly I’ve still been stitching on The Witch is In from the Fall Fling class.  I’m about ready to switch over to Christmas, though…and maybe not soon enough!  And here I sit, arguing with myself that I don’t need to start collecting the Blackbird Designs Anniversaries of the Heart series.  It is so beautiful, and they’re on special…  Nicole and Faye are real enablers, aren’t they?  

Take a look at my not-so-filled Autumn/Halloween tree.  It really does need a few more ornaments… should start sooner next year to have a few more finished.

I did finish the Blue Ribbon Designs, Blessed Beyond Measure Stitch Starter.  Due to excellent instructions, I’m very pleased with how it turned out.

On Thursday 10/28 I had an awful attack of pain – under  rib cage/sternum at the top of stomach.  I’ve said, even though it has been a very long time, that pain was worse than labor!  When I got to point of driving, went to the doctor. He thought it was gall bladder, so I went for an ultrasound on Monday. Within the hour he called to say it was gall stones.  I’ll be going to the surgeon on Tuesday, 11/9 to find out if it can be laparoscopic and when.  I’m hoping it will be soon so there won’t be time for another attack!   

Thanks for stopping by today for a visit – and I always love to read your Needler’s Points.  Have a great fall weekend, stay warm, and don’t forget to turn your clock back tonight. 

Peace♥Love♥Joy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Back on the Wagon

I am sad to say that I have let myself get back up to a higher weight than ever.  I had returned to my previous high weight THEN remember that I quit smoking (November), or at least that’s what will get the blame for these last 20 pounds. 

Why does it matter?  Well there are several reasons.  I know there are people who feel good about themselves no matter what their size, and I wish I were one, but I’m not. I don’t look or feel good in my clothes.  I don’t feel healthy – short breath, aching knees and ankles, high bp and cholesterol (meds have affected liver already).  It matters.

For the last month or two I’ve been contemplating:  how am I going to lose this weight?  ALL the good diet habits are gone, so begin again.  A few things have changed since I weighed less.  Age of course.  Since I quit smoking, coffee does not taste as good (except those sweet, milky drinks), and in the last couple of weeks I’ve decided to not use/drink artificial sweeteners.  Those have been a huge source of replacements in the past, so we’ll have to see if I can continue this ban.

I went to the doctor, and he says if I don’t want to count calories/grams, until we get rolling JUST (ha) stick to NO fried anything, NO red meat, NO sweet treats.  Have three meals with protein to curb appetite,  chicken and fish, and 30 minutes 5 days a week of aerobic exercise, to be more successful “find something you can do in your home.  He also said, “we are not going to count to a weight or number of pounds – we are going for a size.”  OK, but you and I both know that I’ll be watching that scale!  So, I’m going for a size 12 at 5'4".  I think that's realistic -  I’ve been there, I know I can do it, and that is where I can begin to feel good about myself.  How many pounds does that mean?  Well, I’m not positive, but at least 30, so we’ll START with that.

I know a few of you who drop by to visit have also gone through this journey, and I’ve watched your success.  If anyone wants to join in, please feel welcome!

So, this morning I ate cereal with skim milk.  I don’t care for breakfast, and haven’t eaten it in ages, but I will get back into the habit. 

Tomorrow –Sunday is DSs birthday – my only will be 29.  I will allow myself to eat for this special occasion, and really get with the program beginning Monday. 

We went to the movie yesterday (a tradition around birthday time) to see Inception.  Wow – put on your thinking cap and go to the bathroom first because you won’t want to miss a second, and enjoy.  It was great.  I really want to go again to realize all I missed.  In the movie there was a thunderstorm, and it kept going and going, then I realized it was outside- rain pounding the roof with cracking of lightning and thunder! 

Hope there was a bit of rain in your part of the world if you need it.  Thanks for dropping by, and I’d love to hear your thoughts today!

    Peace♥Love♥Joy
and Happy Stitching!Charlene♥SC

Have you signed up for the Fall Weekend Retreat with Clara Blaylock: September 17-19, 2010 in Rock Hill, SC, sponsored by my LNS, The Stitch and Frame Shop? Hop over to take a look at the hornbook project!

I happened to see a link to the Palmetto Tatters’ 8^th Annual Tat Days, Fall Into Tatting, scheduled for August 27-28, 2010, in Toccoa, Georgia, this year.  If you love or even think you’re interested in tatting, consider going.  I haven’t picked up a tatting needle in quite a while, and I’m even thinking about it.  Link over to take a look at some of the samples from the classes they will present.  Also, if you take a look at the 2009 information, you'll see that it's reasonably priced for all the sessions they offer. 

The freebie 4^th of July design in the last post came from Aury.

Going back to work this week was not fun – there was so much to catch up on,  but I can do most anything for five years; right, since time flies?  Those words sound like a long time, but in reality, can you believe it’s just over three months until Halloween?  Four until Thanksgiving? Five until Christmas? 

Friday nights are usually my Night Owl stitching nights – stay up as long as I want stitching since there’s no alarm on Saturday morning for work.  I was stitching away last night when an ocular migraine hit.  I had to stop and take a nap to get rid of it.  I think they affect people different ways, but mine is a painful headache including distorted vision.  It looks like the focus is blurred, wavy, almost like when you see mirage-like heat rising from the road.  So, when trying to focus on the stitching, the center of focus is wavy and can’t find the hole!

It got better after the nap, and I did finish what I’ve been working on this week – the bird from Blackbird Designs, Blackbird Sampler on Exampler 36 ct Lakeside Linen using Gentle Arts threads.  What a fun stitch this was.  Don’t know yet what it will be finished into…

When I was picking out the colors to use from the plastic baggie they were in, I remembered a little rack I had picked up from a store going out of business sale.  It is perfect to store these on, don’t you think?

We did have a thunderstorm last night with a couple of periods (maybe five minutes total) of heavy rain.  It does seem a bit cooler this morning, but extremely humid.

Thank you for stopping by today, and I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Hope you’re having a great weekend, staying cool and doing things with the people you love most.

    Peace♥Love♥Joy
and Happy Stitching!Charlene♥SC

Stitch and Bit@h

Learned this week that the Zocor I’ve been taking to lower cholesterol has elevated my liver function, so I have to stop that and go back to attempt to find something else.  I need to research for natural cholesterol lowering methods. Any suggestions for would be appreciated.  I read someplace that this liver function could make one feel tired and cause weight gain… mine’s probably just natural.  Blah, blah, blah…  Nothing but complaints!  Quit smoking, elevated cholesterol, bp, gained weight, feel crappy – don’t like my hair, fat, but at least all my wrinkles are filled in WITH FAT!! 

What a crazy week.  I am SO tired of the mess at work, it just makes me sick to have to go there every day.  I really have a good job, but it’s the people!  How often you hear “I hate my job, but love the people.”  Not in this case.  One of these days we’ll be getting a new manager, and perhaps then I can change locations…  Doubtful, but perhaps!

After seeing this Oakhaven Designs SAL on someone else’s blog, I just had to join – do I need another SAL?  No!  But it’s so sweet…  It’s a monthly calendar of sorts, and I’ve chosen to follow most of the colors chosen by the designer, and to stitch the hearts in a different color each month.  These are sulky holographics thus far.

The rest of this week’s stitching has been finishing up part 4 of the Needlemania 2 SAL from Sabine at The Sampler Life group.

Thank you for stopping by and please do come back again soon!  Maybe next time there will be something other than complaints!

Charlene