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.

WHAT THE .....Monkey?!!!

Monkey is the word I use when I don't want to swear or say something inappropriate.  The children think it is funny and don't consider the fact that I'm upset, hurt or seriously monkeyed! Today I would say I was all three of those things.

For a Monday the day started out great.  I was up and at work by 6:45 am, got a lot of things done while hanging with Before School (my kids helped me do some coloring for preschool and even made me my own place mat for snack!  Love them.)  Perfect start to the day.

Then Preschool.  Also a breeze.  We only have a few kids so far (some aren't three yet and others are traveling), so Miss Lowrene (my lead teacher) was great by herself and things went EXTREMELY well for a first day.  Since things were good this meant I could get some work done.  Off to the grocery store, nice time shopping, found everything I needed, quick & pleasant check out.  All is right with the world.  At this point I should have guessed that I was screwed...monkeyed.

After unloading and putting away my groceries and supplies I settled into my office to get some work done.  Time sheets, request for leave forms, tons and tons of paperwork anxiously waiting for me.  Not my favorite work, but not too difficult.  So I settled in and got to work.

At about noon, things started to go wrong.  I was hot.  Really hot.  At first I shrugged it off.  Our building is a mess when it comes to temperature regulation and I figured I was being paid back for all the whining I had been doing lately about the icebox that is my office.  Funny thing though, it got worse.  Then I realized the heat was only on my face and neck.  Odd...

At 12:30 I was getting ready to go to lunch.  I went to the restroom quick before I left and then I knew.  Idiot.  I've done this before.  Several times.  My face and neck, chest, and now belly were all covered in large red splotches.  Some you could even call welts. Monkey...hives.  So, I went home quick.  Took a dose of liquid benadryl (the last I had), called the allergist and attempted to eat a little something.  Nope, that wasn't going to happen either.  My normal esophagus problem was worsened with the swelling and eating was pretty much out of the question.  Monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey!  I contemplated staying home.  What good would that do?  I had lots of work to do and frankly if it got worse I was closer to Urgent Care and the ER while at work.

Anyway.  The afternoon was miserable.  I itched everywhere.  Top of my head to the bottom of my feet.  EVERYWHERE.  I probably looked like someone who has fleas or lice since I was itching and wiggling so much.  Hives really stink.  A lot!  The doctor's office called back and confirmed my suspicion.  I'm very sensitive to weed pollen and it is really high right now.  (My allergist likes to remind me that my reactions to weed and grass pollens are 'off the chart!')  Take 2 of my regular antihistamines at bedtime (instead of one and these suckers are STRONG) and start taking Zyrtec to in the morning. 

After finishing work, I went straight to the pharmacy, got some more meds (lovely...I'm going broke for drugs) and went home to drug up.  After taking a Zyrtec and sitting in my air conditioned bedroom a while, things got better.  My face is still a bit red, but the general 'sunburn' appearance to the rest of my skin has faded a bit.  My lips are still slightly swelled and I'll be sleeping with my epi pens on the nightstand, but for now things have slightly improved.  For now....

So, can I say I think I am one tough b**ch?  Its not enough to have major esophageal and stomach problems, to have a stress fracture, to have asthma that is progressively worsening, and so on. But to have such severe allergies I break out in hives just from the air.  Wow.  That's monkey.  And I not only worked a regular full day, I worked over.  I didn't go home early or even on time.  I stayed, did all the things that needed to be done and was pleased with what was happening when I left.  I'm proud of myself.

Now here I am at the end of the day, whining to you, my computer, and praying for an easier day tomorrow.  I honestly have no delusion that it will happen, but I'll still pray for it and hope.  Maybe I'll laugh a bit too as I read this.  It really is kinda funny.  And if I don't laugh I will cry (and have my eventual nervous break down.  Come on folks, we all know its coming...)

Well, here's my photos for tonight.  The first one and last one are pretty nice.  The other two, well they are a statement to my current life.  Our Photo Challenge today was something you purchased and the two middle photos fit that bill. Enjoy!

There are some lovely benefits to getting up early.  A beautiful sunrise in Athens County, Ohio.

Photo Challenge: Day 29-Purchased!  I bought this just this afternoon to help stem the tide of hives.

This chain was made by one of my EIGHT YEAR OLD BOYS.  Specifically for me.  Totally blew my mind.  Sometimes they are so sweet.  Wait a minute, what's he up to?

Camera Case Tutorial

Today I was home sick.  I woke up this morning with a sore throat and little to no voice.  With rest today, its coming back, but this is annoying.  This is my 5th case of laryngitis in the last year.  Its not contageous, just me.  If not for my stupid stomach and espopheagus not working right this wouldn't happen.  But, we're working on that and maybe I'll be over this in another couple months.

After sleeping til past noon, and watching a bit of TV, I was bored.  So, I decided to work on something I've been wanting to make.  Simple, easy, functional and quick.  I was done with the whole project in less than 45 minutes.  And since I needed to have some photos for my blog, I turned it in to a tutorial.

Here they are, today's photos in the form of a tutorial for a Digital Camera Case.

This is my camera.  A Sony Cybershot.  I was lucky enough to get it for Christmas from my parents and I LOVE IT!

My first step was to measure. My camera is approx. 2.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches long.  So i made my fabric pieces (1 lining, 1 outside piece, 1 piece of pellon interfacing) 13 inches long by 4 inches wide.  I used all remnant fabric from old projects.  So, not only was it lovely, it was economical too!

Next I ironed the lining and exterior piece to get them nice and smooth and flat.

I often like to use a little bit of spray starch to add stiffness and help get out any major wrinkles.

Next iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the exterior fabric.  I have tried making projects where I put the interfacing on the lining and it just never works out as well.  Be sure to follow the manufactures directions for the type of interfacing you are using.  I always use Pellon 808.  I should start buying the stuff by the bolt.

Next pin the two fabrics together right sides facing each other.  (With the blue cotton there really is no wrong side, but if you were using something that had a right and wrong side, be sure to place the right sides facing each other.)

Sew the 2 pieces together leaving about an 1.5 inches open on one end of the strips.

Trim the edges off the fabric.

At the corners make an angle cut so that the corners when turned will lay nicely.

Use the opening to turn the fabrics right side out.

Turned out strip of fabric.

Iron the piece out to press out all seams and to press the ends under at the opening to create a new seam.

Pin the open edges together. Sew close to the edges to finish the seams.

Fold up the bottom portion of the strip of fabric to create a 'pocket'.  Leave approx. 1.5 to 3 inches for the flap.

Sew up the sides, being sure to sew close to the edges to keep the pocket as wide as possible.

See how snugly she fits in the pocket.

And this is the perfect size for my Blackberry as well.  That will be my next project to create a custom case for my BB.

Now, its time to sew a button hole to pull the camera strap through for ease in carrying.  First decide where your opening will need to be on the flap.  It should be right on the crease where the flap folds over to the front.  I measured to find the middle and then made about a half inch line for the hole.  Draw a guide on to help you see exactly where to make your button hole.  I used pencil since when I'm done this portion will be cut and covered with thread.

Use the button hole feature on your machine.  The first several times i made button holes I carefully followed the instructions in my sewing machine manual.  I suggest you do the same.

Make sure to attach your button foot and get your seam ripper out.  You'll need it in a moment.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and sew your button hole.  It should look something like this!  Then use your seam ripper to tear the fabric between the sewn sides.  Be careful not to rip any stitches or the whole thing will fray out.

This is what the button hole will look like with your strap pulled through. 

Now, its time to add some closures.  I chose snaps, mainly because i have a lot of them.  Position your snaps on the fabric where they will meet easily to close your pouch.  Now hand sew them on tightly.  More is better to help keep them on for a long time.  I used the same thread I used on my machine to hand sew the snaps on.

And here you have it.  A cute, small, easy, economical camera case.  Perfect to toss in my purse and keep my camera from harm.  As you can see where I sewed the snap on I was careful to keep it neat so that it looks like a pretty little diamond on the exterior of the flap.  Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and if not at least were mildly interested in some of my photos.