Huge changes happening in my life!!

I've had so many changes in my life this year it's crazy!!!

Firstly on the job front things are wonderful, extremely busy and stressful, but wonderful. Two weeks ago my boss fired our "dark cloud of gloom" that I had to work with. So I am now running the entire shop on my own. I also got a huge raise and work long hours, but I love it. He also hired my daughter for the summer to help out with the phones and front office stuff. I love working with her everyday.

On the health front, issues are finally being diagnosed and dealt with. I had to have another colonoscopy in March in order to do a biopsy which came back showing I have Colitis. OK, I can live with that, it could be worse, she thought I had Celiac Disease. With medication it can be controlled.

I also finally got in to see a OB/GYN. I'm scheduled in 2 1/2 weeks to have a Novasure Ablation done. I can't wait! From everything I have been told they work wonders for "female" issues that I am experiencing.

I also have been tested and found to have Meniere's Disease. It's another auto immune condition affecting the ear. Again, with meds and knowledge of how to treat a flare, it can be controlled.

So my list of medical conditions have really grown . . . I now have Dermatomyositis, Raynaud's Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Colitis and Meniere's Disease.

Jennifer is busy with two online University courses this summer in addition to working. That pretty well takes up all her time, although she has fit in time to almost complete a gorgeous cross stitch picture - Mirabilia's Stargazer. It's beautiful!!

Rick took a business trip to China this past April. He really enjoyed the trip but not the flight. 15 hours non-stop on the plane was a little much.

This is going to be my new little beauty in a couple of weeks . . . a 2011 Honda Accord . . . I can't wait for it to be delivered!!












Hopefully things will settle down at work soon and most of my health issues will be taken care of and I can try to live a "normal" life for the first time in about 10 years with actual time for myself and my hobbies and I will be able to update this blog more than twice a year.

OK, so I know it's been forever.

During the summer I came to a decision that in addition to my own Graphic Design business, I would return to work outside of the home. In September 2010 I started my new job. For the first time in 22 years I'm not my own boss. Yikes, it was a scary thought, but it has worked out very well. I now work 9-5 at work and then come home, have dinner, and work for a few hours until bedtime on my own client's work. My life is pretty much all work and no play, except for the weekends . . . I live for the weekends!!! I have to admit, a "regular" weekly paycheque is pretty sweet!

This change has allowed me some new acquisitions that I have been yearning for. Among one of them is this little beauty of an SLR. I have only wanted one for, well, forever!!









During my free weekend time, I was able to finally finish Chatelaine's Watergarden.




























I also just finished Plum Street Samplers "Toil and Trouble". I did it for Jenn's 21st (gulp) Birthday this Friday the 18th.














I also got her these. She always, always wears "wings". I think she'll love them.
















As for my health, well to say the least it has not been good, but I'm pushing thru none the less. The Dermotomyositis still seems to be mostly in remission (knock wood) and I'm dealing with the Fibromyalgia ok. In two weeks I have another colonoscopy and endoscopy (oh joy!) to have another look for any malignancies. Then in early May I will have surgery of some kind, either a partial hysterectomy or full hysterectomy, depending on what my uterine biopsy shows. Then early June, I have yet another breast MRI to have another look to see if any of the "spots" have changed. Hopefully everything will be clear and I can have some sort of "normal" summer this year. Oh how I yearn for that!!

Jennifer is just about finished her 2nd very successful year of University. She had decided to do a double major (English & History) with a minor in Classics. She also managed to find herself on the Dean's list this year! Yahoo!! I'm very proud of her!!

I don't know what has come over me!!

Mirabilia's Royal Holiday and Mirabilia's Midsummer's Night Fairie are now done!!!!







































and Chatelaine's Watergarden is well on it's way to being completed . . . maybe 3-4 more weeks.




















and I just made a list of what new ones I would like to complete next and, of course, there is 9 of them. So this afternoon I will spend some time making a list of what I still need for each project and plan a shopping trip!

On another topic, my health , I am doing better than I have in the past couple of years. By September I should be in "clinical remission" from the Dermatomyositis. It will never be gone but at least it's under control for now and I will finally (after 2 1/2 years) be off the steroids. YEAH!!! I'm feeling so much better I'm planning to go back to work in September. The fibromyalgia on the other hand has been flaring up quite often but through lots of trial and error we think we have a good combination of medications that will keep it pretty well controlled. Time will tell. As for tests, I have another MRI scheduled for October and another thorough cancer check then as well.

Off to make my stitchy shopping list!!

Just stitchin' like crazy . . .

With all the worries on my mind and all my spare time, I've been stitching like crazy lately!!

Here are two finishes . . .

Blackbird Design - Strawberry Garden




















and Bent Creek's PhotoBooth Snowmen




















Here's where I am with Mirabilia's Midsummer's Night Dream

Gulp,

My MRI is on Friday afternoon. I'm very nervous and not very optimistic about the outcome.

Good News . . . and bad news

Good News:
1. They are finally calling it quits with my pelvic ultrasounds. I have cysts, I'll always have cysts, nothing will change.
2. I'm down to 4mg of Prednisone now!
3. The new meds for my Fibromyalgia is working!
4. I have been feeling very strange the last few weeks, I think it is called "normal". Very little fatique, pain, dizziness, etc.

Bad News: My Mammogram was inconclusive, they're scheduling a breast MRI for me now. Ugh!

It never rains. . .

but it pours!! Why can't things be simply black or white???