The.Week.Is.Over...Thank you, Lord.

This has not been a stellar week.  My procedure Tuesday went, well, okay is being nice.  My infection had healed, but my esophagus had closed up again so another stretch was necessary.  However, the worst part of the entire thing was, no sleeping, no forgetting.  I was pretty much awake and aware the WHOLE TIME.  I won't go into gory details, but the feeling of something being shoved down your throat and things being pinched off and scrapped, are not nice feelings.  Not nice, at all.  The doctors knew I hadn't been asleep last time, but they can't give me too much more of the meds, so we're just at this point.  This is going to be really fun.  (I'm crying inside and may have nightmares.)

Anyway, issues at work, frustration with my health; everything seems to be piling up again.  I'm praying for strength and right now that is about all I have to hope for.  Everything else is just...well, I don't want to swear in my blog, so we'll stop there.

So, with the work week finally over, last night I did one of my favorite things.  Tea, cereal and Pride & Prejudice on DVD.  I love Colin Firth.  I love Jennifer Ehle.  I love that miniseries.  Brilliant!  It always makes me feel better and believe in the possibility of love.  Even when it seems like love couldn't be further away.  (Wow, I'm really depressing tonight.  Sorry.) 

Today, I got out and did a little 'shopping.'  I didn't actually buy anything but had a chance to scope out some ideas.  I drove to Logan and went to the Hocking Hills Market.  Antique shops, flea market booths, and home made crafts. I saw a lot of things I could make and have some interesting ideas for Christmas.  More to come on that level soon.  :)

Then, home to re-organize my craft/sewing area.  I haven't had a really great set up and now I think I may be on to something.  I finally have all my sewing stuff in one area.  I still want to find a better sewing table/desk but it can only cost about $25 and I'd like it if it was 'antique' or at least unique.  I don't want to buy something generic.  That would be boring.  I want something that maybe is a bit worn, scarred, and made of real wood.  A girl can dream.

Well, here are some pictures from earlier this week and today.  Nothing too exciting.  But, enjoy anyway if you so choose.  Have a great Sunday and start to a NEW & IMPROVED week ahead!

Fungus in my front yard.  You must know by now how I feel about that, right?

Up close and personal.  Am I the only one who thinks it is beautiful?

Underside.  I'm so happy to have fungus actively growing.  It is all on the stump of a tree that was taken down last summer right in the front yard!

The 3 earlier shots were taken on Wednesday.  This shot was taken today.  Isn't it so cool how it has changed in the last several days?  I'll keep monitoring the situation and be sure to update if anything new and interesting develops.  (Not that YOU care, I do.)

The tree line between my house and the neighbor's.  These trees are so beautiful.  This was taken Wednesday.  After the wind and rain yesterday and today, there are many leaves left.  Sad.

Another tree changing color in my front yard.  This tree changes in a much more subtle way, but I like it.

My new sewing set up.  I brought the card table in to the 'study' to sit beside my sewing table.  Now I don't have to sit on the floor to do my cuttings.  I have a table bit enough for my cutting mat, yeah!  (The card table was previously in the breakfast nook, but was very rarely used.

Finally, the ribbon I wore in my hair today.  Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger on a ribbon.  I love it.  Tomorrow I think I'm going to make some fabric and/or ribbon headbands.  Yippee! 

Fill In the Blanks Friday!!!

1.   The most selfless thing I've ever done was      well, if it was selfless should I really be promoting myself with it?

2.   When it comes to working out    I need to get back to it.  I've been off my work out routine for months and that is a REALLY bad thing.  need to get back in the swing and try to enjoy it     .

3.  A woman should always   stand up for herself.  Don't ever let anyone tell you you're not wonderful.  Some people just don't see the truth because they're blind with envy   .

4. I wish I could    find a new job   and then I'd    move, quickly  .

5.  A best friend is    someone who you don't have to talk to everyday, week or for months at a time, but when you pick up, its like you've never been apart .

6.  I can't get enough of     spending time with my babies.  My niece & nephews are the BEST THING EVER!

7.  This weekend I am    hopefully going to get out, take some pictures and o things I want to do.  I need this weekend to relax, have a good time and forget about all the crap in life.

Crafting Weekend

I've had quite a weekend.  I meant to get more done and be really productive, but that hasn't happened.  No, that's not true.  I've been productive, just with fun things!

Below are a few photos of some crafty things I've been working on this weekend.  Enjoy!

My newest embroidery work.  I really love this sunflower and the pattern around it.  I'm thinking I'll work the design into a purse or tote.

This is all I got done on the pattern this weekend, but I should have time to work on it this week...

My needle book.  Made of felt and I love the colors.  But my button hole is awful and the rest of my sewing was substandard.  Don't know what was going on there.

The back of my needle book.  My good embroidery needles are in here and this is perfect for work on the go!

Interior of the book. I really like the pink and green together.

My new purse!  I have downsized in a MAJOR way.  I no longer want to lug around a huge purse and this new one was a pattern I came up with this afternoon.  I Love It!  I've been walking around the house with it on!

The back.  I really like these fabrics.  They came in a bundle and are from a Moda fabric line.

My new handle design.  I've had the D rings and have wanted to use them.  It was actually really easy and I like the effect and flexibility.

Interior.  Coordinating fabric and lots of pockets.  They are all big enough for my Blackberry and camera.  I also boxed the bottom so it has a little more width.  I'm going to try it out for a few days and then maybe start another one that I'll make a tutorial with.

On another note.  I had hesitated saying anything, but just in case.  I'm having my next EGD this coming Tuesday.  (Its only been 5 weeks since my last one!)  But, I've been having a lot of problems and have an infection that won't seem to go away.  I have been told by my primary doctor to prepare that if the infection is still there and not getting any better, I may have to stay for a few days at OSU.  Its really not a big deal. Just that the next stage of medications have to be done in IV form and I'll have to be at the Medical Center for 2-3 days to be monitored.  I'm anxious to do it, as the pain is bad and I would like a few days away from everything!  I really want to get better and am excited to be 'waited' on for once!  I've been prepping lots of embroidery projects and things to take with me.  Two to three days of sewing, TV, reading and just 'laying around'.  I'm kind of starting to think of this as a possible vacation! 

Anyway, just thought I'd give my friends and family a heads-up.  Its no big deal.  My parents are coming with me to the EGD and will help me get settled in IF I have to stay.  There is a chance I won't have to but, like I said just in case!

Have a great week everyone!

Fall Colors

Fall is definitely here.  The trees are so beautiful and the weather is cooling, well a little.  I can't wait for sweater weather, but wearing jeans these days isn't unbearable, so I'll take that.  For now.

Anyway, on my way home from church this morning, I was struck by the colors of the trees. I realized this is one of the peak weekends and if I didn't get out today, I'd probably miss the best of the colors.  So, I did a slight detour and went to one of my favorite places.  Lake Hope State Park.  Lake Hope is about 30 minutes from my house and is a wonderful Ohio State Park.  They have cottages, camping, a beach, lots of nature trails, boating, a nature center, archery ranges, picnic areas, shelters (some of the most lovely I've ever seen) and so much more.  I always make a point to go to Lake Hope in the fall, as this is when it is truly spectacular.  There's also a neat little cemetery that I like to check out and that included in my photos below.

Enjoy the pictures!

Fill in the Blank Friday (a little late)

1.   Something popular that I can't stand/just don't "get" is      Twitter.  Isn't it enough that we facebook and blog about all the mundane details of our lives, but we have to 'tweet' every little stupid thing?  Sorry, this is not for me.

2.   Something unpopular that I secretly love is         .

3.  When I've had a bad day I   get a bit on the cranky/tough side and usually spend some time crying.  I was having a TOTAL CRAP DAY, yesterday and my kidos found out it was not the day to push Miss April.  Several children who normally would have gotten 'warnings' ended up on restriction!  Honestly, it was good for them. I'm a bit lenient sometimes.  The crying was all done in the privacy of my car, office and home.  I don't share that with just anyone.

4. I'd prefer   kids     to   adults      any day.  I prefer the company of younger people.  I think they're more on my level.

5.  Something that makes me nervous is   finances.  There's just never quite enough  .

6.  Somethings worth fighting for are morals and common sense.  So many people today have no common sense at all.  The ability to rationalize has gone out the window.  The 'kids' (college students) I work with have no sense of right and wrong or a true work ethic.  I may be a dinosaur but I still try to fight, even if its a losing battle most days.

7.  When people think of me, I hope they think    She works hard and is good at what she does.  I love it when people tell me "You're good with kids."  Well I'd better be, its most of my life!

Oh no, its Tuesday...

I should be asleep.  I need to be at work early tomorrow and I'm still up.  And I'm posting on my blog.  What am I nuts?  Oh, yeah, right.  Anyway, now that I've finished the dishes, taken all my meds, set everything out for the morning, gotten the coffee pot ready, cleaned up, etc; I'm ready for bed.  But one small thing I wanted to do.  Post a few pictures of what I've been working on tonight.  Sorry I'm a bit proud.  They're not the best cards ever, but they are unique and I think pretty.  I hope the recipients do too.  And I hope you Enjoy the photos!

Goodnight!!!

I haven't done much stamping/card making lately so my skills are a bit rusty.  But I love these bug stamps!

The front and back.  The cupcake is an embroidery piece I made.  I think its rather cute!

My little bird.  I love him.  He is so colorful and adorable.

More of the bug stamps.  And you can see on this one where I did a little sewing around the edges on the cards.

The inside.  I really like this pack of scrapbook paper.  So simple, but pretty.

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