So again I say...
Happy Veggie-Versary to me!
xox
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Veggie-Versary
Yes, today is exactly 1 year since I decided to give the vegetarian lifestyle a go. The original plan was to do it for a month only, just to see if it had any effect on my health. And here I am, one year later, and I am loving the food and loving the fact that I have decided to remain vegetarian. And loving the fact that the continuous and painful symptoms of IBS that had dominated my life for so long, are all but gone.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Machine Quilting Workshop
I have had an awesome day. Several weeks ago Mum called me and asked me if I wanted to do a Free Motion Machine Quilting Workshop with her and a group of her friends. I haven't done any machine quilting for a few years so was a bit apprehensive, but I decided to give it a go. It was today.
The teacher was a lady by the name of Lorraine Cocker. She was absolutely lovely. She normally runs this workshop over 2 days, but because we were a special group (we had specifically requested her to come in and we only had the space for one day) we crammed as much as we could into one day. It made it pretty exhausting, but we learned a lot.
She taught us several different techniques for free motion quilting, different ways to get the pattern on the fabric, different techniques for stippling and random patterns. We had a shot at several of them, starting with some basics.
We started with a few random techniques and just practising getting used to the feel of free motion quilting (about half of the others had done some basic stippling and the other half of us had not). I was using one of Mums machines which was absolutely beautiful to use. I can not wait until I can afford to buy myself a new machine. :o)
The first thing we did after the random techniques was this clam:
The was just done by tracing the shape onto the fabric with the blue water soluble pens then sewing straight onto the shape.
From there we started a "quilting sampler" by splitting a 21" square (calico/wadding/calico) into eighths using different fancy stitches to separate the sections.
The we started doing different techniques. Here are a few:
The end result was:
It still needs to be finished, and a lot of it is messy, but for my first ever go at any of these techniques I am really pleased with it. We also did some reverse quilting where you put a picture fabric as the backing fabric and quilt around the shapes, which gives you the shapes on the front. This one was really fun (although didn't photograph too well) and a technique I will definitely be using.
I had a fantastic day and am super pumped to get my Bento Block quilts done so I can do some machine quilting on an actual quilt. I will be going to Mum's and using her machine for the quilting as my old clunker isn't really up to the task, but of course I have to get mine back from the shop first (it is being serviced) so that I can actually do the quilt tops.
I am now completely exhausted but really happy with what I have done and re-energised about my quilting.
xox
The teacher was a lady by the name of Lorraine Cocker. She was absolutely lovely. She normally runs this workshop over 2 days, but because we were a special group (we had specifically requested her to come in and we only had the space for one day) we crammed as much as we could into one day. It made it pretty exhausting, but we learned a lot.
She taught us several different techniques for free motion quilting, different ways to get the pattern on the fabric, different techniques for stippling and random patterns. We had a shot at several of them, starting with some basics.
We started with a few random techniques and just practising getting used to the feel of free motion quilting (about half of the others had done some basic stippling and the other half of us had not). I was using one of Mums machines which was absolutely beautiful to use. I can not wait until I can afford to buy myself a new machine. :o)
The first thing we did after the random techniques was this clam:
The was just done by tracing the shape onto the fabric with the blue water soluble pens then sewing straight onto the shape.
From there we started a "quilting sampler" by splitting a 21" square (calico/wadding/calico) into eighths using different fancy stitches to separate the sections.
The we started doing different techniques. Here are a few:
It still needs to be finished, and a lot of it is messy, but for my first ever go at any of these techniques I am really pleased with it. We also did some reverse quilting where you put a picture fabric as the backing fabric and quilt around the shapes, which gives you the shapes on the front. This one was really fun (although didn't photograph too well) and a technique I will definitely be using.
I had a fantastic day and am super pumped to get my Bento Block quilts done so I can do some machine quilting on an actual quilt. I will be going to Mum's and using her machine for the quilting as my old clunker isn't really up to the task, but of course I have to get mine back from the shop first (it is being serviced) so that I can actually do the quilt tops.
I am now completely exhausted but really happy with what I have done and re-energised about my quilting.
xox
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Pattern
xox
My Fabric Arrived!
I have the pattern - that arrived the other day, but I need to sew it at Mum's since my sewing machine is in storage. Not really that big a deal, we go to the storage shed all the time. The problem is, in my infinite wisdom when packing up the house last year, I packed the foot control in a box, not with the machine. There are around 50 boxes in the storage shed and I have no idea which one it is in... LOL
xox
Question Day
Sorry I left you with no questions over the last couple of weeks. I just didn't think of it while I was on holidays. :o) I left my question list home today so I "borrowed" todays from Spunkysuzi.
1. What vegetable do you not like?
2. What made you smile this week?
3. Favorite tea/coffee??
4. Do you have trigger foods that you simply can't have in the house?? Which ones?
5. What is your favorite colour??
xox
1. What vegetable do you not like?
2. What made you smile this week?
3. Favorite tea/coffee??
4. Do you have trigger foods that you simply can't have in the house?? Which ones?
5. What is your favorite colour??
xox
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Legs Feeling Better
What a relief it is to have normal feeling in my legs again. :o) All things considered I think my recovery time wasn't too bad, but it is nice to not feel every movement of every muscle. Tomorrow I will get back on the bike and ride to work again. That will feel great!
This is my 3rd day back at work and I almost feel like my holidays were a dream. I am still more relaxed than I was before I left but in some ways it is like I had no time off at all... If only work were optional. :o)
Yesterday I looked into gyms again. I know, I know. I hate the gym. But I need to do something to get my legs stronger for Rogaining. At this point I have decided not to join one. I am going to find things that I can do outdoors to get stronger. For example, there is a set of steep stairs and a steep pathway down at Seacliff. I can ride there on the weekends and climb up and down those. Plus Mt Lofty is not that far away - that is sure steep enough to qualify. I just need to do some sort of steep leg work once a week in addition to my riding and running (when I can get back to it).
Speaking of getting back to it, I have made an appointment at the Physio for next Tuesday night to have my Achilles looked at. It is getting a lot better, but it is taking a long time. I should have done this months ago really, but I didn't. :o)
xox
This is my 3rd day back at work and I almost feel like my holidays were a dream. I am still more relaxed than I was before I left but in some ways it is like I had no time off at all... If only work were optional. :o)
Yesterday I looked into gyms again. I know, I know. I hate the gym. But I need to do something to get my legs stronger for Rogaining. At this point I have decided not to join one. I am going to find things that I can do outdoors to get stronger. For example, there is a set of steep stairs and a steep pathway down at Seacliff. I can ride there on the weekends and climb up and down those. Plus Mt Lofty is not that far away - that is sure steep enough to qualify. I just need to do some sort of steep leg work once a week in addition to my riding and running (when I can get back to it).
Speaking of getting back to it, I have made an appointment at the Physio for next Tuesday night to have my Achilles looked at. It is getting a lot better, but it is taking a long time. I should have done this months ago really, but I didn't. :o)
xox
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Back to Work
Yesterday marked the return to work. The pile of work on my desk was 5 men high. sigh... Okay, so that was an exaggeration, but it sure feels like it when you are plowing your way through... It is not so bad being back I guess. I am a hell of a lot less grumpy and stressed than I was 2 weeks ago. But I still wish I had a job I loved. Ya know.
I jumped on the scales yesterday morning. Based on the agony in my legs I would say I am still retaining water. Add to that the amount we went out and ate delicious fattening food last week. And the scales weren't overly kind. But then, starting this in my holidays was probably a bad idea. :o) But I am back into it now and am looking forward to a week of healthy mindful eating.
The after effects of the Rogaine are still with me. Sunday night I could barely move. Yesterday was marginally better. The good thing about yesterday was I went for a few short walks, to get the mail etc, and it made a significant difference to the feeling in my thighs. Today I am tight but not incredibly sore.
The results are also up on the web site and surprisingly Ross & I did not come last in points. I am stunned and very pleased by that! LOL The next event is in March and I can not wait to do it again. :o)
xox
I jumped on the scales yesterday morning. Based on the agony in my legs I would say I am still retaining water. Add to that the amount we went out and ate delicious fattening food last week. And the scales weren't overly kind. But then, starting this in my holidays was probably a bad idea. :o) But I am back into it now and am looking forward to a week of healthy mindful eating.
The after effects of the Rogaine are still with me. Sunday night I could barely move. Yesterday was marginally better. The good thing about yesterday was I went for a few short walks, to get the mail etc, and it made a significant difference to the feeling in my thighs. Today I am tight but not incredibly sore.
The results are also up on the web site and surprisingly Ross & I did not come last in points. I am stunned and very pleased by that! LOL The next event is in March and I can not wait to do it again. :o)
xox
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Our First Rogaine
Wow. What a weekend. It started yesterday morning. Packing the car up with everything a novice Rogainer may possibly need for a night time Rogaine event. The backpacks fully loaded, we headed off. It took about an hour and a half to get to Saunders Gorge. It was an absolutely stunning location.
We pitched the tent, chowed down on some egg & cheese sandwiches, and waited until Registration time. At 3.30 we headed over to Registration. We got our map, went back to our site to plan our course.
One problem. We had absolutely no idea what the hell we were doing... LOL
4pm and we head back to the Hash House (the name for the registration/start line/food etc) for the Novice Briefing. So glad we did that as it started to make sense. Plus he gave us some tips on where the checkpoints would be within the locations noted on the map. So now we had some understanding we headed back to our tent to plan our Rogaine. We selected 7 checkpoints to try and get to (there were over 30) with a back up plan for if it took longer than expected and one for if we got through it quicker than expected.
We also chilled out and fuelled up before the start at 5.
At 5, we were off. Most of the teams were headed in the same direction, but we hung to the back as I knew I would be slower than most. The first check point was not too far away. What I did not realise that it was up a dry waterfall that we had to climb.
We finally found the checkpoint and stamped our card, then I realised we had to climb back down....
The next checkpoint was easier to access, we just had to follow the creek. We had to cross it a few times and climb through the reeds a bit, but it wasn't too bad.
From there we headed to the ruins. This was nearly the ruin of me! We had the idea of following the road to the ridge of a hill, then coming straight down to the ruins. What I did not realise was just how damn steep that hill was.
By 2/3 of the way up I was done. So we decided to cut across the hill, then follow the creek the rest of the way. The distance was further but it 'looked' easier... The first problem was getting down the damn hill. We thought the way we went up was steep! I literally had to go down about 50 metres on my butt as I was afraid I'd stumble and end up rolling down! Then when we got to the creek it was surrounded by waist high reeds that we had to plough through. At several points we were scrambling over rocks and hanging on for dear life as the path was so narrow.
It took ages to find the ruins, but when we got there, it was worth it...
By now it was nearly 7.30, so we sat down for some food and to re-assess our course. At this point we decided that we would change course and do the smaller of the 3 options we had planned out. We had to be back at the Hash House by 11pm to avoid getting penalised. It was taking longer than expected to get to each checkpoint, plus the only way out of the ruins was over these....
I was NOT looking forward to it... Especially since I had over stretched my Achilles scrambling through rocks on the way to the ruins. But over was the only way out... It took a long time. We tried to walk along and up so it wasn't as steep, but my Achilles was really giving me a lot of grief. I had to stop a couple of times for a rest, but eventually we got there - just as this amazing red moon was coming up.
So from here on in we were in the dark. Head lamps on, torches on, and we were off to find the track that would take us to the next check point. After a while we ran into the other group of novices (we had run into them several times already and actually led them to the ruins, but they left before us). This is where we discovered we had missed the checkpoint and gone too far. So, time to back track. We eventually found the checkpoint (very hard in the dark) and headed to the last one.
By now we had been walking/climbing/stumbling/scrambling/scooting for over 4 hours. I was tired, my Achilles was killing me, and I had twisted my ankle slightly (same foot as the sore Achilles). Thankfully we had a tack to follow, although it was not a very flat or smooth one, at least we knew we were going in the right direction. We got to the point where the next checkpoint was and realised we would have to climb more rocks.
I had to say no. I just could not do it. I was already limping, my thighs and butt were starting to hurt, and I just couldn't climb again. Ross agreed we could skip it so we continued down our rickety track.
After a while the track turned into a road, and we went the rest of the way back on a smooth gravel road. We still had some hills to get over, but they weren't too steep thankfully. By 10.15 - 5 hours and 15 minutes after heading off - we got back to the Hash House. I have never been so glad to get somewhere before in my life! We checked in, then headed back to the tent.
Dinner was being served at 10.30, but I was too exhausted to even contemplate going back for food. So I took some Nurofen and curled up in the tent while Ross went to eat.
In hindsight, I should have eaten. I was desperately low in salt and I really had not had too much to eat either before we started nor during the hike. About half an hour after laying down I got a massive cramp in my right thigh. Twenty minutes later, I had one in the left thigh as well. I was in absolute agony. By 1am all I wanted to do was go home. I was in tears the pain was so unbearable. I crawled out of the tent and wandered around a bit, but it did not do much to ease the pain. By 3am it had settled down enough for me to finally get some sleep.
This morning my thighs were still throbbing from the cramps, but my ankle and Achilles were remarkable pain free. Now though, I am incredibly stiff through my butt and hips. Even my arms are stiff.
I sat up and watched the sun rise through the trees.
Overall, it was a great night (pain aside). We had a lot of fun trying to navigate our way around and I got pretty good and working out what different things on the map meant. We went through so much different terrain during those 5 hours, it was hard to believer we only travelled several kms from the start point.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! But before I do I need to work on my climbing. Stairs are my friend! LOL
Here are a few more photos from the weekend. Enjoy.
xox
We pitched the tent, chowed down on some egg & cheese sandwiches, and waited until Registration time. At 3.30 we headed over to Registration. We got our map, went back to our site to plan our course.
One problem. We had absolutely no idea what the hell we were doing... LOL
4pm and we head back to the Hash House (the name for the registration/start line/food etc) for the Novice Briefing. So glad we did that as it started to make sense. Plus he gave us some tips on where the checkpoints would be within the locations noted on the map. So now we had some understanding we headed back to our tent to plan our Rogaine. We selected 7 checkpoints to try and get to (there were over 30) with a back up plan for if it took longer than expected and one for if we got through it quicker than expected.
We also chilled out and fuelled up before the start at 5.
At 5, we were off. Most of the teams were headed in the same direction, but we hung to the back as I knew I would be slower than most. The first check point was not too far away. What I did not realise that it was up a dry waterfall that we had to climb.
We finally found the checkpoint and stamped our card, then I realised we had to climb back down....
The next checkpoint was easier to access, we just had to follow the creek. We had to cross it a few times and climb through the reeds a bit, but it wasn't too bad.
From there we headed to the ruins. This was nearly the ruin of me! We had the idea of following the road to the ridge of a hill, then coming straight down to the ruins. What I did not realise was just how damn steep that hill was.
By 2/3 of the way up I was done. So we decided to cut across the hill, then follow the creek the rest of the way. The distance was further but it 'looked' easier... The first problem was getting down the damn hill. We thought the way we went up was steep! I literally had to go down about 50 metres on my butt as I was afraid I'd stumble and end up rolling down! Then when we got to the creek it was surrounded by waist high reeds that we had to plough through. At several points we were scrambling over rocks and hanging on for dear life as the path was so narrow.
It took ages to find the ruins, but when we got there, it was worth it...
By now it was nearly 7.30, so we sat down for some food and to re-assess our course. At this point we decided that we would change course and do the smaller of the 3 options we had planned out. We had to be back at the Hash House by 11pm to avoid getting penalised. It was taking longer than expected to get to each checkpoint, plus the only way out of the ruins was over these....
I was NOT looking forward to it... Especially since I had over stretched my Achilles scrambling through rocks on the way to the ruins. But over was the only way out... It took a long time. We tried to walk along and up so it wasn't as steep, but my Achilles was really giving me a lot of grief. I had to stop a couple of times for a rest, but eventually we got there - just as this amazing red moon was coming up.
So from here on in we were in the dark. Head lamps on, torches on, and we were off to find the track that would take us to the next check point. After a while we ran into the other group of novices (we had run into them several times already and actually led them to the ruins, but they left before us). This is where we discovered we had missed the checkpoint and gone too far. So, time to back track. We eventually found the checkpoint (very hard in the dark) and headed to the last one.
By now we had been walking/climbing/stumbling/scrambling/scooting for over 4 hours. I was tired, my Achilles was killing me, and I had twisted my ankle slightly (same foot as the sore Achilles). Thankfully we had a tack to follow, although it was not a very flat or smooth one, at least we knew we were going in the right direction. We got to the point where the next checkpoint was and realised we would have to climb more rocks.
I had to say no. I just could not do it. I was already limping, my thighs and butt were starting to hurt, and I just couldn't climb again. Ross agreed we could skip it so we continued down our rickety track.
After a while the track turned into a road, and we went the rest of the way back on a smooth gravel road. We still had some hills to get over, but they weren't too steep thankfully. By 10.15 - 5 hours and 15 minutes after heading off - we got back to the Hash House. I have never been so glad to get somewhere before in my life! We checked in, then headed back to the tent.
Dinner was being served at 10.30, but I was too exhausted to even contemplate going back for food. So I took some Nurofen and curled up in the tent while Ross went to eat.
In hindsight, I should have eaten. I was desperately low in salt and I really had not had too much to eat either before we started nor during the hike. About half an hour after laying down I got a massive cramp in my right thigh. Twenty minutes later, I had one in the left thigh as well. I was in absolute agony. By 1am all I wanted to do was go home. I was in tears the pain was so unbearable. I crawled out of the tent and wandered around a bit, but it did not do much to ease the pain. By 3am it had settled down enough for me to finally get some sleep.
This morning my thighs were still throbbing from the cramps, but my ankle and Achilles were remarkable pain free. Now though, I am incredibly stiff through my butt and hips. Even my arms are stiff.
I sat up and watched the sun rise through the trees.
Overall, it was a great night (pain aside). We had a lot of fun trying to navigate our way around and I got pretty good and working out what different things on the map meant. We went through so much different terrain during those 5 hours, it was hard to believer we only travelled several kms from the start point.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! But before I do I need to work on my climbing. Stairs are my friend! LOL
Here are a few more photos from the weekend. Enjoy.
xox
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Holidays: Day 14: Movies
Yesterday afternoon Ross & I decided to use some free movie tickets we had and head off to an afternoon at the cinema. We went and saw 'Tomorrow When The War Began'. It was excellent. Much better than I expected. Especially considering there were Neighbours & Home & Away actors in it... LOL. It was a seriously good movie, although it ended fairly abruptly, leaving it wide open for a sequel.
Last night we headed to a friends for dinner and to meet her new man. Both were lovely, the dinner and the man. :o) It was a late night again though.
I have had so many late ones this week, Monday morning is going to be a real struggle. But I have also had a great week, so no complaining here.
This afternoon we are heading up north to the Rogaining event. To be honest, I am shit scared. But hopefully it will be fun and we won't be lost in the bush for a week... LOL.
xox
Friday, October 22, 2010
Holidays: Day 13: The remainder of the day
I had to do another small post because yesterday afternoon was so much fun! I went to my friends Emma's house for a massage. Now, Emma and I have only been friends for under a year, but we have become quite close. However in all that time I never realised what a complete sadist she is! LOL She LOVES to inflict pain. And she is GOOD at it! LOL I had several quite large muscle knots (that have probably been forming since my last massage about 2.5 years ago). And she poked and prodded and jabbed and rubbed until tears ran down my face...
The good news - today I feel fantastic! Thanks Em.
After the torture session we wandered down to Chinatown for some dinner. I had Salt & Pepper Tofu. It was sensational! I have eaten so much good food lately.
Then we went back to her place while I waited for Ross to come and get me. The result of sitting around chatting - a water fight in her kitchen! I have not laughed so hard in AGES! It was quite simply - awesome. Of course, I left before the clean up - sorry Em - NOT! LOL
From there I went to watch Ross's Bowling league. He didn't have a good night, but his team still managed to scrape in for the win.
xox
The good news - today I feel fantastic! Thanks Em.
After the torture session we wandered down to Chinatown for some dinner. I had Salt & Pepper Tofu. It was sensational! I have eaten so much good food lately.
Then we went back to her place while I waited for Ross to come and get me. The result of sitting around chatting - a water fight in her kitchen! I have not laughed so hard in AGES! It was quite simply - awesome. Of course, I left before the clean up - sorry Em - NOT! LOL
From there I went to watch Ross's Bowling league. He didn't have a good night, but his team still managed to scrape in for the win.
xox
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Holidays: Days 12 & 13: Hahndorf
Firstly I would like to say a huge than you to everyone for their positive comments yesterday. I was really scared to put that all out there, but your love and support made me so glad I did. :o)
Now, yesterday we headed to Hahndorf for the day and to stay the night. We got there before we could check into the Motel and spent several hours wandering up and down Main Street. There are so many interesting shops along the way it is easy to spend a day.
We stopped at a little place called Herbees for lunch. I got the Swiss Brown Mushroom Burger,
And Ross got the Veggie baguette.
We split them in half and shared. They were both great, but I have to say the burger was the best. It was absolutely divine.
The Motel was small but lovely. Only a handful of rooms, and they were small. But they were clean, had a bed, a working kettle, and a bathroom. What more do you need! LOL
Last night we went to the Bridgewater Inn for our Paranormal Group monthly catch up. We missed last month so it was great to see everyone again. The food was fantastic, but I forgot to take photos. I had a Pumpkin Gnocchi that seriously melted in your mouth. It was amazing. It was well after midnight before we left, and it was nice only having a 10 minute drive to get home.
This morning we had breakfast in Hahndorf before heading home.
I got Belgian Waffles
OMG - They were so GOOD!
This afternoon I am heading over to Em's for a long overdue massage. Then I am off to watch Ross bowl again tonight.
xox
Now, yesterday we headed to Hahndorf for the day and to stay the night. We got there before we could check into the Motel and spent several hours wandering up and down Main Street. There are so many interesting shops along the way it is easy to spend a day.
We stopped at a little place called Herbees for lunch. I got the Swiss Brown Mushroom Burger,
And Ross got the Veggie baguette.
We split them in half and shared. They were both great, but I have to say the burger was the best. It was absolutely divine.
The Motel was small but lovely. Only a handful of rooms, and they were small. But they were clean, had a bed, a working kettle, and a bathroom. What more do you need! LOL
Last night we went to the Bridgewater Inn for our Paranormal Group monthly catch up. We missed last month so it was great to see everyone again. The food was fantastic, but I forgot to take photos. I had a Pumpkin Gnocchi that seriously melted in your mouth. It was amazing. It was well after midnight before we left, and it was nice only having a 10 minute drive to get home.
This morning we had breakfast in Hahndorf before heading home.
I got Belgian Waffles
OMG - They were so GOOD!
This afternoon I am heading over to Em's for a long overdue massage. Then I am off to watch Ross bowl again tonight.
xox
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Time for some Honesty: Anxiety & Depression
I usually try to write a fairly upbeat blog. It doesn't always work, but for the most part I usually try to keep it that way. The reason for this is that I don't generally think that people want to hear the gory details. Plus, a lot of things are too personal for public consumption.
I have spoken on here before about my husbands battle with depression. A battle he has fought and won several times over.
What I haven't really spoken about is my own...
These last few months have been extremely difficult for me. I have mentioned the anxiety in brief but not the full extent of it. For several months I have been having ongoing general anxiety as well as full blown anxiety attacks. It has been almost crippling at times. I have been trying to deal with it as best I can, sometimes with success, sometimes not so successfully. Deep breathing exercises have helped somewhat. The whole time this has been going on I have been aware of it.
What I had been remarkably unaware of, was the depression that also seeped in over the last couple months or so. I am so good at picking up on it in Ross, yet I completely missed it in myself. I think a few of my friends knew something was going on. E asked me several times if everything was okay as I seemed unhappy, but I just blew her off saying work was getting to me. Other friends had noticed I have been remarkably unsocial. But I just claimed I was busy.
Several weeks ago it was bad. Very bad. Which is when I realised what was going on. I won't go into details. Let's just say my thoughts no longer felt as though they were my own, and the severity of them is what made me realise something was very much not right...
As is usual for me, once I am aware of something with my moods, I am usually able to take some sort of control. The first thing I did was go off the Pill. Massive MASSIVE difference. I started taking vitamins again and upped my vitamin B intake. I also realised I was behind in my vitamin D meds, so I caught myself back up. Having these holidays has been a Godsend. I did not realise how much I needed the break.
The other day I also talked to Ross about it. I was so scared to do that as I don't want to trigger anything in him. But he is in such a good place within himself right now that he has been wonderful. Talking about it has made a huge difference.
I am now doing really well and feel almost back to my old self. I am reaching out to old friends and hoping that shutting myself away these last few months has not burned too many bridges.
So why am I sharing this here?
Honestly, I am not sure. Mental health is so often kept in the shadows. We don't talk about it. We are afraid of it almost. I admit to feeling a certain amount of shame. I don't know why. Maybe because I feel like I should always be in control. God knows I have had to be for the last couple of years. But I know I shouldn't. There is nothing shameful about it.
But I think mainly I just wanted to put it out there. I think the key to my recovery is honesty. Also I think I wanted to put some awareness out there. Most people who know me would have had no idea that I have been going through this for months. I am great at covering my feelings. I think I just want people to be aware. That someone close to you may be fighting some pretty serious inner demons they may not be showing you. Keep your eyes open my friends. Your kind word or tender hug at the right time may make all the difference. And may be the line between someones recovery and a fatal alternative.
xox
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Holidays: Day 11: New Bras
Last night at A's place was a lot of fun. We chatted, gossiped, sewed, and laughed. A & E put together a quilt top. The blocks were already pieced, and they got the whole thing put together. It was a real tag team event, one of them sitting at the machine stitching the sashings in place, the other one ironing and getting the next pieces in order and ready to go. It was fascinating to watch. I stitched a couple more flowers.
When I got home Ross was already waititng in the tent. I got into my flannie jammies and went out to join him. It was a lot of fun, but it was also freezing! I could not believe how cold it was. I woke up at 3am shivering. Since I was miserable, I thought it only fair that Ross was too. LOL! I woke him up to tell him I was cold - with the ulterior motive being that he might get up and get another blanket. His response... To snuggle closer and fall back asleep. Sigh...
Today was a shopping day. We went to Westfield. I rarely shop for myself, but today was about me. We met Em for lunch and then shopped. I got 3 nice tops, a Tshirt, 2 pairs of thongs and some new undies. Then we headed over to the Boobie Trap for bras. I desperately needed bras. I got 2 pairs of sports bras and 1 pretty blue bra. I am very happy with my haul. It was nice to shop for me. The only thing I didn't get that I still need is trackie pants.
Tomorrow we are off to Hahndorf. I am really looking forward to it.
xox
Monday, October 18, 2010
Holidays: Day 10: This & That
I am posting early today as I am heading out tonight. Today has been pretty uneventful. Spent the morning at the Accountants getting our tax done. Ho hum. Boring fact of life unfortunately...
The appointment was early so we went out for breakfast on the way home. I got a cheese croissant. High in calories, but also high in taste! :o) Am being well behaved for the rest of the day to make up for it.
Came home and got everything ready in the tent for tonight. I have to say, it looks squishy inside. But it is a hiking tent, designed to be light enough to carry in a pack. The cats have had a lovely time playing in it and darting under the fly. It is very cute. But they will be sleeping inside tonight. There is definitely not enough room in there for the two of us and three cats! LOL
Spent the afternoon watching X Files and sewing. I did the flower above today. Of all the fabrics I have used, this one looks the best made up.
Tonight I am off to a friends house for a craft night. We used to catch up every week, but it kind of dropped off around a year ago. I really looking forward to it.
xox
Holidays: Day 9: Nothing...
Yep, that pretty much describes yesterday. I did nothing. :o) I had a few minor bits & pieces that had to be done around home, other than that I sewed and watched copious amounts of NCIS and Friends on DVD.
Ahhhhh... What a day. :o)
xox
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Decision Made...
I have decided it is time to start looking at my weight again. Sigh... I got on the scales this morning. Surprisingly I am .5kg lighter than when I stopped dieting in June. I don't know how I managed that, but I'm not complaining.
I am not going back to Calorie King. Mainly because I believe that is where my previous obsession came from: the constant blogging and chatting on the forums and comparing - it took over my life!
I have downloaded an app for my phone (a free one) called Shape Up. It is like the CK software. It is American though, so I'll have to load a lot of my foods in myself, but once they are in there they are there for good.
If I start obsessing, I'll stop. Simple as that. I can't do that to myself again. If you notice me obsessing I am going to have to trust you all to tell me.
xox
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Holidays: Day 8: Stitching and Cutting
I have spent the day sewing and cutting. But I get ahead of myself.
Last night I finished my Marian Keyes book. I really enjoyed it. I have liked all of her books that I have read. Not the sort of thing I would read often, but great for when I am in the mood. I have started the next book from the library stash:
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill. Completely outside of my normal realm of reading, it is about a slave woman in America in the 1800's. Like I said in the book reviews I did yesterday, I have new interest in this topic.
Ross was working today so I got stuck into my sewing. I am now halfway through the flowers. I have done 36 of the 72 I need to do. Once I got to that point I decided to finish cutting the hexagons for the flowers. I had done most of them, but had about another 200 to go. It took ages, but I got them done...
Of course, once they are all stitched together I have to attach them with over 700 light green hexies, then border with a couple hundred dark green, but I am trying not to think about that too much right now... LOL
Yesterday I ordered a couple of Jelly Rolls from Green Fairy Quilts who have a sale on at the moment. I am going to use them to start making my couch coverings and pillows. When they arrive I'll post photos. They are in shades of blue and I think they will look great.
xox
Last night I finished my Marian Keyes book. I really enjoyed it. I have liked all of her books that I have read. Not the sort of thing I would read often, but great for when I am in the mood. I have started the next book from the library stash:
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill. Completely outside of my normal realm of reading, it is about a slave woman in America in the 1800's. Like I said in the book reviews I did yesterday, I have new interest in this topic.
Ross was working today so I got stuck into my sewing. I am now halfway through the flowers. I have done 36 of the 72 I need to do. Once I got to that point I decided to finish cutting the hexagons for the flowers. I had done most of them, but had about another 200 to go. It took ages, but I got them done...
Of course, once they are all stitched together I have to attach them with over 700 light green hexies, then border with a couple hundred dark green, but I am trying not to think about that too much right now... LOL
Yesterday I ordered a couple of Jelly Rolls from Green Fairy Quilts who have a sale on at the moment. I am going to use them to start making my couch coverings and pillows. When they arrive I'll post photos. They are in shades of blue and I think they will look great.
xox
Book Review: The Sugar Camp Quilt, by Jennifer Chiaverini: + The Lost Quilter, by Jennifer Chiaverini
I am doing two books together this time, and for a good reason. First, some background.
Jennifer Chiaverini writes the Elm Creek Quilt books. There are currently 16 books in the series (I am getting them all for my birthday, I am a lucky duck!). Although it is not really a series as such.
Most of the books are based around the lives of those at Elm Creek Manor - the Bergstrom family. Some are set in current day around the only living descendent - Sylvia. Others are set in the past. The current day ones are based around a Quilt Camp and the lives of the women who run it. They are why I started reading them. They are beautiful feel good books that explore these women's lives.
The rest of the books go into the past. I am not a fan of historical fiction. I usually find it is written in a way that I personally find boring and tedious to read. I find little relevance and basically don't read them.
Until now.
There are actually three books (so far) that are about the issue of slavery at the time in American History just before and then during the American Civil War. Being an Aussie I have known absolutely nothing of American History or of the time when Africans were ripped from their land and brought in to America to be sold as slaves. I knew it had happened, but that was it. The first of the three books - The Runaway Quilt - started to open my eyes. I am not reviewing that as these two are more closely linked, but it is definitely worth the read as well. And a good idea to read it first.
The Sugar Camp Quilt follows the story of the very first Bergstroms who built Elm Creek Manor. They were German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania before the start of the American Civil War. Through various channels they become involved with the "Underground Railroad" which is a group of people who assisted slaves escape from their captivity in the South and give them safe passage to Canada where they can can settle as free people.
Before long Joanna turns up on their door. She has escaped, she is ill, and she is pregnant. Rather than sending her to the next post they keep her with them for the duration of her pregnancy. A few months after her baby boy is born she is caught and forcibly returned to her owner in the south. The Bergstroms and other people in town involved with the Underground Railroad are imprisoned. When they get out they try to find Joanna, whose baby was left at the house when she was taken away.
The Lost Quilter takes over Joanna's story once she is captured and returned to her owner (who is also the father of her baby that is now with the Bergstrom family). She is returned to him and severely beaten (caned) then sold further south to make any thoughts of escape near on impossible. There she meets her future husband, another slave, who also dreams of escape.
Before they can do anything Joanna is given away and is torn from her husband and their baby girl (who according to the laws of the time actually belongs to the person that "owned" her when the baby was born and not to the mother). They still managed some communication though and eventually the time comes that they make their escape attempt so they can go and collect Joanna's lost son and live a life of freedom.
I have to say that these are definitely not my "style" of books. In fact, none of them, even the modern day ones, are. I like detective novels. Have lived on them forever. But something about these books have captured my heart - hence getting the entire series for my birthday so I don't have to keep borrowing them from the library.
Jennifer Chiaverini is an absolutely beautiful writer. She makes these characters jump from the page and capture your heart. If you are looking for something unique or a little bit different to what you normally read, I strongly suggest you go to your local library and check these books out. You won't regret it.
xox
Jennifer Chiaverini writes the Elm Creek Quilt books. There are currently 16 books in the series (I am getting them all for my birthday, I am a lucky duck!). Although it is not really a series as such.
Most of the books are based around the lives of those at Elm Creek Manor - the Bergstrom family. Some are set in current day around the only living descendent - Sylvia. Others are set in the past. The current day ones are based around a Quilt Camp and the lives of the women who run it. They are why I started reading them. They are beautiful feel good books that explore these women's lives.
The rest of the books go into the past. I am not a fan of historical fiction. I usually find it is written in a way that I personally find boring and tedious to read. I find little relevance and basically don't read them.
Until now.
There are actually three books (so far) that are about the issue of slavery at the time in American History just before and then during the American Civil War. Being an Aussie I have known absolutely nothing of American History or of the time when Africans were ripped from their land and brought in to America to be sold as slaves. I knew it had happened, but that was it. The first of the three books - The Runaway Quilt - started to open my eyes. I am not reviewing that as these two are more closely linked, but it is definitely worth the read as well. And a good idea to read it first.
The Sugar Camp Quilt follows the story of the very first Bergstroms who built Elm Creek Manor. They were German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania before the start of the American Civil War. Through various channels they become involved with the "Underground Railroad" which is a group of people who assisted slaves escape from their captivity in the South and give them safe passage to Canada where they can can settle as free people. Before long Joanna turns up on their door. She has escaped, she is ill, and she is pregnant. Rather than sending her to the next post they keep her with them for the duration of her pregnancy. A few months after her baby boy is born she is caught and forcibly returned to her owner in the south. The Bergstroms and other people in town involved with the Underground Railroad are imprisoned. When they get out they try to find Joanna, whose baby was left at the house when she was taken away.
The Lost Quilter takes over Joanna's story once she is captured and returned to her owner (who is also the father of her baby that is now with the Bergstrom family). She is returned to him and severely beaten (caned) then sold further south to make any thoughts of escape near on impossible. There she meets her future husband, another slave, who also dreams of escape.Before they can do anything Joanna is given away and is torn from her husband and their baby girl (who according to the laws of the time actually belongs to the person that "owned" her when the baby was born and not to the mother). They still managed some communication though and eventually the time comes that they make their escape attempt so they can go and collect Joanna's lost son and live a life of freedom.
I have to say that these are definitely not my "style" of books. In fact, none of them, even the modern day ones, are. I like detective novels. Have lived on them forever. But something about these books have captured my heart - hence getting the entire series for my birthday so I don't have to keep borrowing them from the library.
Jennifer Chiaverini is an absolutely beautiful writer. She makes these characters jump from the page and capture your heart. If you are looking for something unique or a little bit different to what you normally read, I strongly suggest you go to your local library and check these books out. You won't regret it.
xox
Friday, October 15, 2010
Happy Cat
Night all!
xox
Sent from my Nokia phone
Holidays: Day 7: New Friends
I have had a sensational day. Several weeks ago I joined an online craft group. Today I met several of the members at their weekly craft catch up. It was a really fun and relaxed day. Great company, good conversation, a delicious lunch, and I actually got some sewing done! Hopefully I can join them again next week.
Last night the planned sleep out in the tent did not happen. My bed roll is in storage and we didn't remember until it was too late to go and get it. Add to that the fact that a storm picked up and it blew a gale, and I am glad we slept inside.
I also forgot to show you something yesterday.
My Mum brought me my Place Mats and Table Runner she made me. They are so cute. Each of the place mats has 2 different cats machine embroidered on them, and the table runner has 8 of the little cuties.
I can't wait to use them!
xox
Last night the planned sleep out in the tent did not happen. My bed roll is in storage and we didn't remember until it was too late to go and get it. Add to that the fact that a storm picked up and it blew a gale, and I am glad we slept inside.
I also forgot to show you something yesterday.
My Mum brought me my Place Mats and Table Runner she made me. They are so cute. Each of the place mats has 2 different cats machine embroidered on them, and the table runner has 8 of the little cuties.
I can't wait to use them!
xox
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Holidays: Day 6: Mum
Mum came up today to help MIL with a small sewing project. A log cabin chicken.
I have made them before and MIL wanted to learn. Hers still needs to be stuffed. This one is mine.
While they started I got to the horrible task of ironing my hexagon flowers. I hate that part of the sewing process. But now all 30 that are made are ironed, ready for the joining hexies to be added.
I made us lunch - home made pizza again, oh how I love thee - and then made more Honey Oat Cookies since there are none left for me to take to my sewing day tomorrow. Yum. I added almonds again. I think this will need to become part of the permanent recipe.
Tonight Ross & I are off to bowling. He has joined a bowling league. So he'll bowl, I'll cheer him on. He started last week and loved it (he used to bowl many years ago so he is getting back into it). I am looking forward to seeing him in action.
When we get home we are planning on sleeping in...
Our hiking tent. We have never tested it out so we figured it was time, especially since we will be using it at the Rogaining event next weekend. To me, it looks just big enough to squeeze one person into, but it is designed for 2. Hmmm.... We will see. LOL
I'll leave you with Shiva, looking very happy in Ross's arms....
xox
I have made them before and MIL wanted to learn. Hers still needs to be stuffed. This one is mine.
While they started I got to the horrible task of ironing my hexagon flowers. I hate that part of the sewing process. But now all 30 that are made are ironed, ready for the joining hexies to be added.
I made us lunch - home made pizza again, oh how I love thee - and then made more Honey Oat Cookies since there are none left for me to take to my sewing day tomorrow. Yum. I added almonds again. I think this will need to become part of the permanent recipe.
Tonight Ross & I are off to bowling. He has joined a bowling league. So he'll bowl, I'll cheer him on. He started last week and loved it (he used to bowl many years ago so he is getting back into it). I am looking forward to seeing him in action.
When we get home we are planning on sleeping in...
Our hiking tent. We have never tested it out so we figured it was time, especially since we will be using it at the Rogaining event next weekend. To me, it looks just big enough to squeeze one person into, but it is designed for 2. Hmmm.... We will see. LOL
I'll leave you with Shiva, looking very happy in Ross's arms....
xox
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Holidays: Day 5: Shopping and Stitching
Today started with yet another sleep in. I could really get used to this. I better not though, back to work in a week and a half. :o)
We met Em in town to go shopping and for lunch today. I got me a new phone. A Nokia N97 mini. So far I love it. Except I changed providers and am having trouble emailing from MMS which means I can't do blog updates from my phone. Bit of a buggar so hopefully I get it sorted out.
For lunch we went to Pancake Kitchen. Oh how I love that place! I had the Farmers Breakfast (for lunch) which was 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, and 2 hash browns. I also got Hollandaise sauce which I love love love (let's not discuss the calorie count of that). It was so delicious.
We spent the avo shopping for Em's new kitchen. She got all the things she was looking for which was great.
Tonight I went to a Sit & Stitch class at Patchwork by Sea. It was a really nice group of women and I got 2 more of my flowers done. I am up to 30 now. I can't believe how quickly I am getting through them. It was a really good night. They meet every Wednesday so I will try and get there as often as possible (other than the Wednesdays we have Paranormal Group of course).
Now I am off to bed. Mum is coming over tomorrow which will be fun. Until then...
xox
We met Em in town to go shopping and for lunch today. I got me a new phone. A Nokia N97 mini. So far I love it. Except I changed providers and am having trouble emailing from MMS which means I can't do blog updates from my phone. Bit of a buggar so hopefully I get it sorted out.
For lunch we went to Pancake Kitchen. Oh how I love that place! I had the Farmers Breakfast (for lunch) which was 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, and 2 hash browns. I also got Hollandaise sauce which I love love love (let's not discuss the calorie count of that). It was so delicious.
We spent the avo shopping for Em's new kitchen. She got all the things she was looking for which was great.
Tonight I went to a Sit & Stitch class at Patchwork by Sea. It was a really nice group of women and I got 2 more of my flowers done. I am up to 30 now. I can't believe how quickly I am getting through them. It was a really good night. They meet every Wednesday so I will try and get there as often as possible (other than the Wednesdays we have Paranormal Group of course).
Now I am off to bed. Mum is coming over tomorrow which will be fun. Until then...
xox
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Holidays: Day 4: Jammie Day!
Yup, I am having a jammie day. Completely unplanned. I was meant to be spending the day with Ross, but he got called into work. Bit of a buggar, but he needs the shifts. Plus he is hoping to get made permanent so he says yes to extra shifts wherever possible.
So the day that we were meant to go riding and hiking has turned into a jammie day.
So far I have watched lots of X Files. I finished reading my Laura Childs book. I must be getting more used to her way of writing as I had worked out who did it fairly early on. Much earlier than normal anyway. The next book out of my stash is...
I haven't started it yet, but I will start it tonight.
This morning was spent cutting hexagons.
Now I have a stack that need sewing, so of course I did quite a bit of sewing today as well.
Mind you, this isn't all of them, there will be lots more to cut after I get through this pile. But bit by bit is the way to go.
xox
So the day that we were meant to go riding and hiking has turned into a jammie day.
So far I have watched lots of X Files. I finished reading my Laura Childs book. I must be getting more used to her way of writing as I had worked out who did it fairly early on. Much earlier than normal anyway. The next book out of my stash is...
I haven't started it yet, but I will start it tonight.
This morning was spent cutting hexagons.
Now I have a stack that need sewing, so of course I did quite a bit of sewing today as well.
Mind you, this isn't all of them, there will be lots more to cut after I get through this pile. But bit by bit is the way to go.
xox
Monday, October 11, 2010
Holidays: Day 3: Haircut
I actually slept in this morning. I note this because it really is quite a rare feat for me unless I have had my antihistamines the night before. Last night, no antihistamine. This morning, woke at 9am. It was wonderful. :o)
The draw back, however, is it made me run late. So instead of riding to my friends for coffee, I drove. Oh well. I spent the morning with my friend, catching up. It was a nice way to spend the morning. Came home, watched some X Files on DVD (I just bought the entire 9 seasons, so it will take me a while to get through) then headed out to get my hair cut. Nothing major, just a trim. Plus I got a fringe again. I had been growing it out, but decided it was just too annoying, so I am a fringe girl again.
Dinner tonight was home made pizza on home made pastry. The pizza topping contained BBQ sauce, tofu, "not" bacon, red, yellow, and green capsicum, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms Olives (on Ross;s side only) and cheese. It was dee-lish-ous!
I hafta say, I am enjoying these holidays so far. I could get used to this.... :o)
xox
The draw back, however, is it made me run late. So instead of riding to my friends for coffee, I drove. Oh well. I spent the morning with my friend, catching up. It was a nice way to spend the morning. Came home, watched some X Files on DVD (I just bought the entire 9 seasons, so it will take me a while to get through) then headed out to get my hair cut. Nothing major, just a trim. Plus I got a fringe again. I had been growing it out, but decided it was just too annoying, so I am a fringe girl again.
Dinner tonight was home made pizza on home made pastry. The pizza topping contained BBQ sauce, tofu, "not" bacon, red, yellow, and green capsicum, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms Olives (on Ross;s side only) and cheese. It was dee-lish-ous!
I hafta say, I am enjoying these holidays so far. I could get used to this.... :o)
xox
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