What Not to Do

Here's what I've learned about myself this Summer: I am not invincible.

I should have already known this, having endured 3 years of recovery after my big Adrenal Crash at the end of 2012.

But, it would seem that I don't learn lessons easily when it comes to knowing what I am capable of. After just a year of good health, I apparently took on too much too fast somewhere between the middle of June and the beginning of July. This resulted in a herniated disc in my lower back which triggered piriformis syndrome which led to sciatica in my right leg, partial numbness from my calf to my toes, loss of reflex in one foot, aches and pains in places I forgot existed, and so much lost sleep.

My MD prescribed Vicodin to help with the pain while waiting for the MRI. I've never taken this kind medication before, even during childbirth, having a rather high tolerance to pain and decided aversion to any kind of drugs. Well, Vicodin hates me. The first night, I took the minimum dosage, which didn't help in the slightest, so I decided to up the amount the next night, which also didn't help with the pain or lack of sleep, but did cause passing out while standing. Oh, and vomiting and feeling like I'd been electrocuted. That too. When I looked up all the symptoms I was experiencing later that morning, WebMD told me that I was experiencing a drug overdose. So no more Vicodin. Ever again.

And really; don't ever look things up on WebMD. That place is scary.

But the great thing about that horrible morning is that my symptoms scared the Farmboy into staying home and keeping a close eye on me all day, so when the hospital called to say that they had an opening for the MRI that I thought I would have to wait two weeks for, he was able to get me there, even if that meant pulling over for me to throw up some more by the side of the road (sorry kids, didn't mean to traumatize you, but seeing the looks on your faces really was quite funny. Payback is beautiful sometimes).

As I type this, it's a few months later (September to be exact), even if I'm posting it back around the time of actual injury. I'm much, much better, having undergone first the diagnosing MRI, then several rounds of gentle chiropractic and acupuncture to take care of the piriformis and sciatica. I am now down to just the herniated disc, which will take time, time, and more time to heal. I can walk without limping, and almost as fast as my usual (I'm one of those fast walkers, no point in wasting time if I know where I'm going). Thanks to Gabapenten and Diphenhydramine, I'm sleeping through the night again, and can sit for short periods of time without my back hurting.

Oh, how painful it is to be reminded that I'm not 20 anymore.

One of the kids commented this morning, "Mama, I wish we could go back and do the Summer all over again, but this time without your back being hurt." Oh, me too, my darling, me too.

Sun River 2016

After the overwhelming success of our Baker's Dozen trip to Sun River last summer, plans were almost immediately hatched to repeat the adventure. Three families of 4, plus 1 Grandma, with bikes in tow, took over 1 happy house.

Sleep is a rare commodity for me under normal circumstances, so I confess that I was most likely the one reluctant holdout. However, the weekend was good fun from start to finish. Pool time, riding bikes, taking walks, spending quiet hours in the house with books and games, amazing food, frequent deer sightings, live music by the lodge, ice cream cones in the village square, and another epic float down the river.

I hope these trips continue every year, creating lasting impressions for the kids as they grow up. The cousin bonding time is good for all of us, even if the lone boy of the group grumbles under his breath just 5 minutes after arrival that "they are already talking about high heels and lipstick".

*NEW* The Bird Collection, Part II

This booklet is the second installment in a collection highlighting my favorite Pacific Northwest birds. I hope you enjoy taking off on this feathered journey along with me.


All models stitched on Picture This Plus 32ct. Wren with one thread over two.

Western Tanager: Stitch Count: 59 x 83
Threads: The Gentle Art: *Brandy, *Country Redwood, *Endive, Grecian Gold, *Ohio Lemon Pie, *Old Hickory, *Pecan Pie, *Piney Woods, *Raven

Redwing Blackbird: Stitch Count: 100 x 53
Threads: The Gentle Art: *Country Redwood, *Endive, Espresso Bean, *Ohio Lemon Pie, *Piney Woods, Pumpkin Pie, *Raven, Toffee

Swainson’s Thrush: Stitch Count: 99 x 60
Threads: The Gentle Art: *Brandy, *Endive, Harvest Basket, *Old Hickory, Parchment, *Pecan Pie, *Piney Woods, Weathered Barn


*Flosses with an asterisk are used in more than one of the designs, but you will only need one skein total for entire booklet.

DMC conversion provided inside chart cover.

The frames were thrifted and then refinished by me. Tutorial available on request.

This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will soon be in the hands of my distributors and the shops on my auto ship list. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

Independence Day

After last year's mis-interpretation of our small town's firework display invitation, (not the first time either, you should read back through our Independence Day experiences sometime) we arrived this year informed by experience and ready for a great show.

And armed with a certain picnic quilt that was celebrating its fifth anniversary.

It was too dark once we got positioned to take photos, but that's because we stopped at the market for some tubs of ice cream because last year we were disappointed by DQ being closed and not allowing us to have Blizzards. And also because I forgot that I had a different lens on my camera than I would normally use.

But I had my favorite people with me and some really chocolatey ice cream, and my snow boots on my feet to keep them warm, and I live in a country with more freedoms than many around the world, and I am blessed in more ways than I can count.

Family Time

I am the second of five children. Growing up, we always got along well, even when there were ten or twelve years difference in age. Due to life situations, we are only able to get the entire family together every 2-4 years. This time around, it was 4 years.

So the month of June into early July, when my brother and his family were in the United States, were very full of as many gatherings as possible, each including at least most of us, culminating in a final gathering that held every single one, plus the addition of one of my Dad's brothers.

There were probably a thousand photos taken between all of us, but I'll spare you and only share a few of my favorites. Photos taken in a park while celebrating a 4th birthday, at a Mama and Daughter date for tea, at a Sisters-only night out, and finally all of us gathered here at our homestead.

1 Grandpa + 1 Grandma + 5 Siblings + 5 Spouses + 4 Nieces + 8 Nephews (with 1 more on the way)

= Lots of Love (and maybe sometimes a bit too much Crazy)

June

So full, so sweet, so busy I've barely been able to breathe. So you get lots of photos and that's all.