Monday, April 30

Sorry for disappearing again. I had a few rough days again with my recovery. It just makes it so difficult to try and focus on anything when I’m having pain, so updating my blogs definitely falls to the wayside.

I made a commitment with a dear friend to journal together this week. Initially I was just going to do it via email with him, but decided if I’m going to the effort to write it all down anyway, I might as well do it here. So, here goes …

Breakfast:
Toast - 1.5
AB chai latte - 0.8

Lunch:
12″ veg delite - 8.1
Baked Tostitos Scoops w/salsa - 3.3

Dinner:
Chili - 5
2% cheese - 2.4
Baked Tostitos Scoops - 2.2

Snack:
Nonfat milk - 3.6
Z-bars - 4

Total: 30.9
WPA balance: 35.0
Water: 64 oz.

Overdue Update

Sorry for not updating in a while. I’m growing increasingly annoyed with the slowness of my recovery. I’ve been having recurring bouts of extreme pain and soreness which usually results in getting emotional and sitting around crying until it passes. My surgeon did warn me that I would have good days and bad days even following surgery, but I’m just getting really impatient and ready to feel better & be done with it, KWIM?

If all that weren’t bad enough, my allergies started raging and I’ve been sneezing off and on most of the day. Trust me, sneezing and vertebrae fusion in one’s neck do NOT go together. Hopefully it will clear up quickly and I’ll stop sneezing!

Ok, enough whining for now. Time to put something productive in this entry. For the first time I ever remember since I’ve been going to my LNS, they put most of their xstitch charts on sale for 30% off!

Thankfully, it was while my friend was still in town taking care of me, so he graciously took me over so I could get out of the house for a bit and take advantage of such a good sale. Boy, did I ever! Here’s a list of most of what I got. I also picked up a couple of other charts, but won’t be listing them as they’re for gifts.

Mini Block Stitch - Hinzeit
Stars & Stripes - Little House Needleworks
Spring Has Come - Prairie Schooler
Briar Rabbit - La-D-Da
Buttoned Yule - Shepherd’s Bush
Ackworth Friendship Book - With My Needle
Friendship - Brightneedle
Sampler Scissors Box - Fancy Work
Motifs Inspired by Whitman’s Tins - Fancy Work

I’ve also taken the time to do some finishing work. These are a couple of pieces that I stitched late last year but never got around to finishing them. They’re both for gifts, so I’ve masked the initials of the recipients for now.

I have another finish to share, but I didn’t do the finishing on it. I completed the stitching late last year as part of a SAL, but never got around to the finishing. I just couldn’t get excited enough to do it because I HATE HATE HATE blind hemming. I finally decided to just send it to my local finisher and let her do it instead. I think she did an awesome job!!

Finally, I’ve been doing some experimenting with a new product I found. I’m not sure how long it’s been around, so maybe it’s just new to me. It’s called Distress-It and is designed to make newer fabrics and fibers look aged/antiqued. The product cost around $6 for the bottle and it only took a few squirts to cover the fabric (roughly 8×11″ in size). After the first layer dried, I went back and did a second layer to give it an even darker color. The product does come in 3 different shades of dye. I got the medium one. I tried it out on a plain piece of white linen and was pretty pleased with the result. Here’s a scan:

The scan makes it look like there is a line in it, but there really isn’t. That’s a part of my scanner showing through the fabric. It looks pretty even in person.

I did learn a couple of things in the progress. Firstly, spray a couple of times onto a piece of paper towel or newspaper before spraying onto your fabric. I found that it left some larger drops during the first coupe of squirts, so that would prevent that. Also, along the same line, I will definitely start around the edges next and time work my way toward the center rather than the vice versa. Over all though, I was pleased with the results.

I’ll try to post a couple of updated WIP pics in the next few days. I’ve not pulled out Taj Mahal again yet because I know I’m just not up to working on something that complex yet. I’ve pretty much been working on Spring Sampler from Little House Needleworks and Martina’s Roses from Chatelaine Designs. I’m really enjoying the Spring Sampler. It’s my first experience working with Sharon’s new silk line (Belle Soie) from Crescent Colors. They’re really nice! I can’t wait to see the 25 new colors she’ll be releasing at Columbus in June.

Well, I guess that’s it for now. Happy stitching!

Tuesday, April 24

Day 4 OP

Breakfast:
Toast - 2.0
Coffee w/SF creamer - 0.5

Lunch:
Turkey & pepperoni wrap w/veggies - 3.5
Pickle spears
Baked Tostitos Scoops w/salsa - 2.2
Banana - 2.0

Dinner:
Couscous salad - 6.5
    Couscous
    Artichoke hearts
    Mushrooms
    Red onions
    Black olives
    Sun-dried tomatoes
    1 tsp olive oil
FF frozen yogurt - 5

Snack:

Total: 21.7
WPA balance: 35.0
Water: 64 oz
Exercise: Walking - 1 AP

Monday, April 23

Day 3 of ??

Breakfast:
FF/SF chai latte - 1.6
Toast - 0.4
LC light cheese wedge - 0.8

Lunch:
Western Bagel pita - 1.4
Sun-dried tomato hummus - 2.0

Dinner:
Tortilla chips w/salsa - 6.5
Black bean veggie burger - 7
FF frozen yogurt - 5

Snack:
Nonfat milk - 3.6
Vitalicious muffin tops - 2.6

Total: 30.9
WPA balance: 35.0
Water: 64 oz
Exercise: Walking - 1 AP

Sunday, April 22

First of all, let me say Happy Birthday to my sister! She’s turning 45 today. Good lord, where DOES the time go?!

Today is also Earth Day. I try and live a green life all year long, but Earth Day is always a great reminder to each of us that we can/should do more. I don’t want to get into semantics or arguments about Global Warming. The bottom line is that whether one believes in Global Warming or not, trying to live a green life is good not only for the planet, but for each of us as well. I think the more we can focus on those 3 R’s of green living — reduce, reuse, and recycle — the more it helps us get out of the mentality of being so wasteful. If we all make just a few small changes, it can really add up cumulatively! If you want/need info on what you can do, just leave me a comment and I can post a list I came up with of small changes to help live a green life.

Ok, off my environmental soap box and on to the primary purpose of this blog which is tracking my weight loss journey. I’m happy to report that I went walking this morning! Ok, so it wasn’t far, but it’s at least a start. I’d gone out about 3 times earlier this week and walked the 1/4 mile loop around my apartment complex verrrrrry slowly. While I did still walk slowly this morning (about 2 mph), it was both faster and a longer distance than I’d done earlier in the week. I walked 1/2 mile this morning. It’s the first time I’ve gone that far in months without having any neck/back arm or numbness/tingling in my hands and feet. This gives me a whole new hope and belief that the surgeries I had recently have been successful and that this is going to have a major impact on my life.

You’ll also notice at the top of today’s journal that it says “Day 2 of ??”. I’ve decided I definitely want to put together another string of OP days, I’ve just not decided how long yet. Perhaps I won’t set any particular target but will just see how many days I can put together.

On to the journal!

Day 2 of ??

Breakfast:
Veggie omelette w/ 2% cheese - 2.4
Toast - 0.8
Coffee w/creamer - 0.5

Lunch:
Bolono & cheese sandwich - 3.0
Western Bagel pita - 1.4
Sun-dried tomato hummus - 2.0
FF frozen yogurt - 4.4

Dinner:
Dr. Praeger Cali veggie burgers - 3.6
Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato soup - 4.0
1/2 chocolate peanut butter brownie - 1.5

Snack:
2 cups nonfat milk - 3.6
Graham crackers - 1.3
Z-bar - 2.0

Total: 30.5
WPA balance: 35.0
Water: 96 oz
Exercise: Walking - 1 AP

I’m baaaack…

Well, after a bit of a hiatus and 2 surgeries (on the same day) later, I’m baaaaaaack. I went back to my WW meeting today for the first time in 3 weeks. I’ve not really been tracking in quite some time, so I was happy to see that I was only up 0.8. Not tracking changes today though! I’m back OP and the MoJo is flowin’!

Breakfast:
None - slept in
Coffee w/creamer - 0.5

Lunch:
1/2 Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich - 5.6
1/2 Fandango Salad 4.6

Dinner:
Couscous Veggie Salad - 8.9
FF frozen yogurt - 3.6

Snack:
1 cup nonfat milk - 1.8
Z-bar - 2.0

Total: 27.0
WPA balance: 35.0
Water: 48 oz

Back to the land of the living …

barely. I’m happy to report that my surgeries seemingly were very successful. It will take time to know for sure, but at least the pain I’m feeling now seems to be more surgery-related pain than a continuation of the pre-surgery pain.

I did have one brief return to the hospital after initially coming home. I began having chest pains and difficulty breathing on Saturday. I called my medical group and the physician on call became very alarmed and told me to immediately get to an ER because either of those symptoms could be caused by a blood clot or pulmonary embolism both of which are extremely dangerous post-surgery. Thankfully, I didn’t appear to have either. After keeping me overnight for observation and a myriad of tests, I was released on Sunday afternoon again. When I’m feeling up to it, I’ll post more about the return trip to the hospital.

If you want to see the last project I completed before surgery, you can check it out on Vonna’s blog. It’s a biscornu I stitched using Brightneedle’s Quaker Seasons pattern and Caribbean Laney thread from Carrie’s Creations. The button was purchased at my favorite local shop and is from Just Another Button Company (I think).

I’ll sign off for now just by thanking everyone for their good thoughts, vibes, prayers, comments, email messages, etc. Hopefully I’ll be feeling up to posting regularly and stitching again soon! Happy stitching!

Thanks!

I just want to take a minute to thank everyone for their well wishes both via comment here and private email to me. It means a lot to know there are folks out there keeping me in their thoughts tomorrow as I’m having my surgery!

I’m still struggling with feeling extremely worried, but it’s getting better. I’ve really been trying to focus on centering myself and thinking calming thoughts this week. Even though I can’t do my yoga right now, I’ve still be putting in my DVDs and listening to the music track and meditating. God, that sounds SOOOOO California! I’m sure my Tennessee relatives would all be rolling their eyes if they read me saying that.

I have a friend coming out to stay with me for a couple of weeks to take care of me and get me through the initial recovery process. I’ll see if I can convince him to take some dictation this weekend and post and update here for me.

I don’t have pictures to share right now, but we just had the mailing date for a Quaker exchange on the USEBB with a theme of Spring. Once I’m feeling well again, I’ll post pics of what I sent and received. Cathy sent me a beautiful pinkeep, some Dinky Dyes fibers, the Blueberries LHN/Crescent Colors kit, and a tin of chocolate mints. Thanks, Cathy!!

Another picture that I’ll be sharing when I’m back online is my finished Red Desert Scissors Pocket. I finished the stitching on it at the end of 2006 and finally got it to the finisher a couple of weeks ago. She did a FABULOUS job finishing it. Her blind hemstitch is beyond amazing. I want to be her when I grow up.

Thanks again for the well wishes and I’ll hopefully be back soon. Until then … happy stitching!!

Stitcher’s Retreat Update

I have been woefully remiss in updating my blog lately. It’s been a combination of being out of town for the retreat and dealing with everything for my surgery coming up on Thursday (April 12). I’m not sure how soon I’ll make an entry after my surgery, so I did at least want to get in an update about the retreat beforehand.

I had a BLAST at the retreat. I went there not knowing anyone but felt right at ease immediately. I had a wonderful roomie and we hit it off right away. Her name was Beth and she lives in Louisville, so we had that whole girls raised in the south connection. Here’s a pic of us taken on our last day:

As we got checked in to the retreat, we received a goodie bag. Once I got up to the room, I checked it out and was amazed at all of the cool stuff in it! One of the highlights, for me, was Eliza Jane’s Needlekeep from Brightneedle. This is a piece that I’ve drooled over in the past, so I was so excited to see we got it on the goodie bag. We also got a skein of the new Weeks color that is coming out in June. It’s called Guacamole and is a beautiful color! There was also an adorable bunny chart (how perfect for me! ) called Bunny Love from Trail Creek Farm. There were also lots of freebie charts and some chocolate. Here’s a pic of the goodie bag. I realize it’s difficult to see what everything is, but there was so much stuff in it that it was hard to get it all into one photo.

While at the retreat, I had my main 3-hour class with Ann Pettit and Liz Knudsen of Brightneedle. The class piece is called Sakura and is just beautiful. Here’s a pic of the kit:

I really enjoyed their class. Ann is a great teacher and Liz is just so much fun. I couldn’t believe just HOW quickly the 3 hours went by! It seemed like no sooner than the class started that it was time to wrap things up.

I also took an optional 2-hour class from Amy Bruecken and Koneta Hurlstone of Sisters & Best Friends. Wow, talk about a FUN class … those ladies are a hoot! The piece for that class was called Stitcher’s Chicken which was a complimentary piece to the Stitcher’s Sheep kit they had for the people who took their 3-hour main class. I liked the chicken so much that I ended up buying the sheep kit in the shop since I wasn’t in their main class. Here are pics of those:

There was some discussion during the class that they should do more in this series. I really hope they do. I would love to see a cow and pig in this design series, too.

Our last morning there consisted of three 50-minute round robin classes. In addition to round robin classes from Brightneedle and Sisters & Best Friends, we also had the pleasure of having a class done by Charland Gavin of Charland Designs. She had been there for the whole retreat and had her gorgeous silver available for sale in the market. The round robin was the only class that she taught during the retreat. Here are pics of the round robin pieces. The first piece is from Brightneedle, the next is from Sisters & Best Friends, and the last is Charland’s piece.

I did pick up a few other items at the retreat market. I don’t have pictures of those, but I can give links to some of them that are available for purchase. Some of the Brightneedle kits I bought were from their Private Reserve line which is available for purchase only for retreat participants, so I don’t have photos of those. A couple of these are for gifts … wonder where they’ll end up?

Brightneedle Christmas House
Brightneedle Small Samplings
Brightneedle Quaker Season pincushion (private reserve)
Brightneedle Made for Each Other needlebook (private reserve)
Brightneedle Lake Country Spring (private reserve)
Sisters & Best Friends Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Sisters & Best Friends Count Your Blessings
Heart in Hand Courage
Heart in Hand Peace
Heart in Hand Easter Sampler
Heart in Hand Commemorative Heart kit (exclusive)

In addition to everything already mentioned, we all received 3 door prizes throughout the course of the retreat. We got a 10th anniversary retreat t-shirt. We also got some cool freebies from the teachers, too. Here’s what I got:

Door prizes:

A pre-made tea cup cozy with stitchable insert
2 small punchneedle kits and a 3 punchneedle set (1 strand, 3 strand, and 6 strand)
A wool applique bunny purse kit (again, perfect for me )

Freebies:

Small mesh bag, logo self-stick note pad, and logo scissor sheath (Brightneedle)
Itty Bitty Pear Doll chart (Sisters)
Spring Bunny chart (Sisters)
Winter Sheep chart (Sisters)
Olde World Ornaments chart (Sisters)

I also won a special prize from the ladies at Sisters. They had a contest in one of their classes for the person with the most scissors with them. Another lady and I had 4 pairs each with us, so we both won a prize. Here’s what I got in that package:

Bad Maid
Little Boys chart
Little Girls chart
Have A Cow chart & mini tote bag

Since I’m not a mom, I gave the Bad Maid, Little Boys, and Little Girls charts to a couple of very nice ladies I met from Fond du Lac, WI. I had several of my meals with them and they were such nice ladies.

I do have a lot more pictures from the retreat, but I won’t post them all here. If you would like to see them, they are in my online photo albums. Here is a direct link to the retreat album:

2007 Stitcher’s Retreat

There was one other highlight of the retreat. I got to meet Michele from Washington who is one of my buddies from the Shepherd’s Bush BB. The funny part was that we didn’t even realize we “knew” one another until after the retreat was completely over. We were having lunch together with a couple of other stitcher’s after all the formal activities had ended and she finally made the connection of who I was. It was too funny. I noticed on her blog that she’s already signed up for next year as well, so it’ll be fun getting to see her again at next year’s retreat.

I had such a great time at the retreat, that I went on and signed up for next year’s while I was there and gave the organizer my deposit check. The retreat next year will be held in early May at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The scheduled teachers are Maureen Appleton of The Heart’s Content, Sam Sarah Design Studio, and Chessie & Me. I’ve signed up to take the Maureen Appleton class.

Ok, I have clearly rambled enough for one day. I hope everyone is has a wonderful Easter and gets in some quality stitching time. Happy stitching!

Sunday, April 8

Ok, so I realize I’ve been horrible about updating my blog lately. It’s been a combination of being out of town for several days and dealing with the emotions regarding my upcoming surgery on Thursday. I’ve decided I need to stop making excuses and just get back to it. I’m going to post my journal every day up until my surgery later this week.

I’ve also temporarily removed my progress information from the right side of the page. My weight is fluctuating wildly right now with the medications I’m on, so I’ve decided to just not focus on the number on the scale for now and instead just focus on eating OP.

Breakfast:
Veggie & cheese omelette - 2.4
Toast - 2.0
AB chai latte - 0.8

Lunch:
Bolono sandwiches - 4.2
Light Lays BBQ chips w/salsa - 2.0
Baby carrots - 0
Apple - 1

Dinner:
MSF steak strips stir-fry - 8
Rice - 4

Snack:
Nonfat milk - 3.6
Vitalicious muffin tops - 2.6

Total: 30.6
WPA balance: 35.0
Water: 56 oz