And so...

And so the days pass.  Nothing new here.  I'm 'enjoying' my time off and trying to settle myself.  News from the doctor's office brings more speculation and, at present, no real new information.  Both of the surgeon's who work on my 'case' (as I guess I'm now being called, ick!) are out of town!  I have to wait until Thursday or Friday to get any real information, and I am very afraid I may go insane by then.  Ugh!  But, we must keep plugging away and let the days go...

At least I have my 'crafting' and the awesome series I've started watching on Netflix, Being Human.  Not the new, copied American version, but the original BBC version.  I love it and am already part way through Series 2.  Lord, I have to get out of this house...

So, here's some of the 'craftiness' I've been up to.  Enjoy!

Another embroidery piece.  I realized something as I was uploading this photo.  I have all these pieces I've made in the last few weeks and days, and I have no idea what I'm doing with them.  Right now they're just laying on the ironing board, waiting.  Crap, all that work has to be for something?  Must think on this...

My new purse!!!  Yeah, I know, another purse.  I swear though, this will be the last for a while that I make myself.  I've adapted and expanded my first purse attempt, which can be seen here.  I love my first version, but it is just a tad too small.  This one is a medium (to me) sized purse and is perfect.  I also re-did the handles.  Now there are two handles.  I really love it and am so insane about this fabric.  Isn't it gorgeous?!!!

The interior of the new purse.  This yellow check is fabric I've had for several years.  I used most of it up with this project and was so thrilled it went so well with my main fabric!

Interior, filled.  Can I say, I love that when I look in my purse I see a homemade wristlet, homemade tea wallet, and inside the wristlet, a homemade wallet.  I feel so talented!  Oh no, I feel a swelled head coming on!

And finally, my dinner.  Yummy!  This is a recipe I found somewhere on line and made tonight.  Baked acorn squash with apple, cinnamon, maple syrup filling.  So good!  Now, which would you rather eat: the picture above or...

this.  Same food, just pureed.  My life is so sad.  It was still really good, much easier for me to eat but, just lacking the original beauty.   *Sigh*

And by the way, I really want some pizza.  Really, really badly.  I've been craving it for about 3 weeks, and have kept myself away.  But, for how much longer?  I know, the pain isn't worth the pleasure, but oh...for one slice...

Finally, a special thanks to my friend Michele.  I've been wallowing in my own self pity and avoiding contact with the outside world.  (Just because I'm me, and I'm like that.)  She came over tonight and surprised me with a visit.  It was so nice to talk (and about subjects OTHER than me & my problems) and I felt better for it.  More human.  Anyway, thanks Michele.  I needed that, even if I didn't know it.  (Also, sorry about the house.  this will teach me to red-up a bit more and try not to live like such a slob, even if I'm sick.)

Sounds of Silence

I like to talk.  Its one of the good things about what I do for a living.  I get to talk.  At the Front Desk, with my kids, with parents, staff, at events, in meetings; I do a lot of talking.  So, that said, its really hard for me right now.  I can't talk.  I have a little bit of a 'squalk' but, on the whole not a lot is coming out.  To me its embarrassing.  I am not able to effectively live my life, do my job and function as I normally would.  Even as a single person I'm always talking at home.  Whether its on the phone, talking to myself or normally singing along with whatever music I have playing while I'm doing other things.  So, I'm kind of at a lose.

Its not that I haven't had laryngitis before.  I have.  In the past several years I've had many bouts.  It usually lasts 2 days and then I get most of my voice back.  That is not happening this time.  I suppose that is part of what's frustrating me.  I'm not making a rebound.  I saw my internist on Thursday and he recommended rest and fluids.  We can't do any type of meds because A, they probably wouldn't do anything and B, they would exacerbate my other issues.  We both know where this comes from and that is, to me, becoming infuriating.  I'm not mad at the doctors, that would be silly.  I'm mad at myself, a little at God (sorry, I know its wrong) and just mad in general.  My esophagus and stomach cause this.  Acid corrosion in my esophagus onto my vocal chords, and the raging infection in my esophagus that has probably moved into my vocal chords, are the underlying problem.  Is there no end to the litany of problems that my digestive system feels the need to throw at me?

So, here I sit.  In silence.  I've spent the bulk of the weekend at home, in my room, resting.  No talking.  Communication through e-mail, texts, Facebook and now Blogger.  I'm dealing with the situation and pray that tomorrow I'll wake up and things will get better.  I've been silent and that is 'supposed' to help.  I don't feel like it has but, what can I do but try?  I'll wait it out for now.  I go back to the doctor on Thursday and see no point in attempting to call before then.  I've just gotta deal with it and do the best I can.  (Can you tell I'm trying to give myself a pep talk?)

Anyway, the best thing about this weekend has been resting and working on simple things.  You'll see in my photos below some of the things I've been doing.  Hope you like my pictures.  If you need to get a hold of me, e-mail, text or Facebook would be best for the foreseeable future.  Don't bother trying to call, I won't be answering.  *sigh*

Have a great week!!

I have wanted to try my hand at embroidery and this is my first real attempt.  I like it.  It took a little more time than I thought and isn't perfect, but it's cute.

Yummy vegan chocolate chip pancakes I had for dinner.  Not really 'healthy' but healthier than the alternative.  No milk, eggs, oil, so a little better than usual.  And they were really good!

I had to go to the store yesterday (for medicine) so I took a more scenic route home.  This was along the way and I thought it was a pretty view.

I had to get out today and found this tree trunk.  Pretty in its decomposing state.  Yeah, it was covered with fungus!

More fungus in my yard.  This is on/beside a tree stump in the front yard.  Fungus doing its job!

More fungus that's on the stump.  So pretty.

Changing leaves.  Welcome Fall!!!

A breathtaking sunset.  I almost missed it.  I went to the kitchen and was washing up a few dishes and happened to look out the window above the sink.  I saw this, grabbed my jacket, camera and ran to the back yard.  Glad I did as it was gone in literally 3 minutes.

To end this post, I'll conclude with the lyrics from a song I've been listening to a lot lately.  I travel a good deal, and am several hours and quite a few miles away from the people I love the most.  My heart is spread out in Ohio and the US as a whole.  But, I love this song because as the last lines say, 'don't count the miles, count the I Love You's.'

Miles sung by Christina Perri

Kiss me on my shoulder
Tell me its not over
Promise to always come home to you
Remind me that I'm older
To be brave, smart, sweet and bolder
Don't give up on what we're trying to do

Don't count the miles
Count the I Love Yous

In the house...all day, almost

Today I have only left the house (my parents) 2 times.  For a total of about 2 minutes.  This afternoon I took a bag of trash to the trash can-30 seconds (or less.)  The second time was for AIR and I went out front in the yard a few minutes ago for about a minute and a half.  I am going to go stir crazy by the time this weekend is over.  But, I am determined to stay in, stay hive and asthma free for the next few days.  I refuse, REFUSE, to cancel my procedure on Tuesday and am not going to give up on it until the doctor says no.  I'm being a tad stubborn at the moment.

Anyway, I spent most of the day reading, organizing (cause I'm like that) and just hanging out.  I'm over half way through the book I had only just started this morning and its really good.  I organized the cupboards in the kitchen, the bakers rack, the counter tops, and cleared the dining room table.  In between I took a short nap and really relaxed and tried to get well.  No asthma attack yet!  Yippee!!!!

Well, here are a few photos from my day.  Hope you enjoy!

Potato 'chips' for dinner.  I peeled them, sliced them really thin, coated with a little olive oil and Spinach & Herb Seasoning.  Then, baked for about 15 minutes.

These were extremely crispy which is easier for me to eat.  Things are dense and heavy won't go down at all.  This takes a while, but is edible for me.  Yummy!

Later, after the potatoes had made their way down, I made some zucchini sticks.  Sliced tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Baked in a ceramic pie dish so they didn't crisp too much.

Perfectly baked zucchini.  Soft, not mushy.  so good!

Peaches!

Sliced peaches with a tiny bit of sugar to make a syrup.  In another few minutes I should be able to eat a few slice.  I'm so excited.

I love the way these flowers were entwined together.  Pink and Purple, so pretty.

Grandpa's whirlly gigs.  I love them.

Mom was able to successfully dry one of my hydrangeas.  She trying to get a few more to dry this well.  This one is mine and I can't wait to take it home and find the perfect spot in my house for it.

Dinner, for grown ups

Tonight I cooked.  This has not been a habit of mine lately.  I have been horridly lazy and have not cooked much in the past several weeks.  I really need to change that.

So, I went to the fridge and cupboard looking for inspiration.  And I found it.  Sometimes I go a little crazy in the produce section at Kroger's and that is a good thing.  A very yummy thing.  My dinner tonight was comprised of Pearl Couscous, Bok Choy, Broccollini, and Garlic Bread.  So good. 

This was my first time cooking bok choy so I had to look up a few methods.  Sauteing sounded like the best.  I quickly cleaned and cut the pieces, got my oil heated (with a little salt and dill) and cooked for about 8 minutes.  It was pretty good.  It has a bit of a strong flavor, especially in the greens and I really liked it.  I'm going to work with this again.

Next was the broccollini.  I love this stuff.  Its so cute.  I've always been a fan of broccoli and this is a cousin.  For this dish I lightly basted the spears with olive oil, salted and oven roasted for about 15 minutes.  Really good and has a nice crisp texture this way.

Finally the couscous.  I've been a fan of 'traditional' couscous for years and a few months ago starting making the pearl version.  Cooking is a bit more than the little stuff but worth it.  I added a little butter, mustard and garlic salt.  Very nice and not too heavy.

All in all a yummy meal and definitely one I would say leans heavy toward my vegetarianism with vegan tendencies.  I hope you enjoy the photos.  Goodnight!!

Oh and in case you're wondering, yes I had hives again today.  I'll be calling the doctor again in the morning.  This can not continue!  I'm supposed to be going camping this weekend and have a procedure on Tuesday.  The doctor isn't going to want to put a tube down my throat if I'm all covered in hives, having asthma attacks and have a swollen esophagus!  Ugh!!!