tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299475952024-03-23T12:44:27.156-05:00floresita - things I've made floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-11877484881659847402020-01-10T10:34:00.000-06:002020-01-14T09:01:42.654-06:00Last stitch of 2019!<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362167881/in/dateposted/" title="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy"><img alt="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362167881_e426a2a917_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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So, I can't believe it but I was able to finish my Project a Month goal for 2019 on Feeling Stitchy! (see <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2019/12/2019-my-year-in-review.html">My Year in Review here</a>) <br />
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I fell very much behind in August, thanks to a variety of challenges, physical and emotional, but I was able to catch up in November and December. I finished up my very last project of 2019, which I started on December 20, this lovely <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/736396326/noel-christmas-embroidery-pdf-pattern-o">Noel pattern</a> by Slow Evenings on Etsy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49361703633/in/photostream/" title="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy"><img alt="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49361703633_f49c4578c9_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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What a gorgeous pattern this is, and so well-designed! Read my full write-up on the pattern on Feeling Stitchy:<br />
<a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2019/12/project-month-noel-pattern-by-slow.html">http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2019/12/project-month-noel-pattern-by-slow.html</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362371762/in/photostream/" title="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy"><img alt="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362371762_95964a06db_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I switched up the colors a tiny bit, since my fabric choice was neither light nor dark, but a medium tone in between. I chose the dark green lettering, and I think it was a good choice - I absolutely love the texture on these letters - I think what I did was a combination of split stitch and long and short, not technically either but both.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49361703508/in/photostream/" title="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy"><img alt="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49361703508_6ca4174f55_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I adored this finished project - I love the way the little berry French knots pop against the linen background - I used 3 strands of floss, wrapped twice around the needle...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362371702/in/photostream/" title="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy"><img alt="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362371702_91505c5877_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Isn't the texture delicious?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49361703458/in/photostream/" title="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy"><img alt="Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49361703458_9321ceb650_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lastly, I wrapped the embroidery hoop in a cute polka dot ribbon to finish it off. I was finished on Christmas Eve, just in time to give it away on Christmas Day!<br />
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A worthy project to end 2019 on, and to close out my final posts on Feeling Stitchy!<br />
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<h2>
What's Next?</h2>
I'm sure I will continue to stitch and craft, but the time of focusing exclusively on embroidery and blogging about it has come to a close. I feel free to express my creativity in whatever way I choose now!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362395421/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362395421_7e9260d075_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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One of the things I have been enjoying SO MUCH lately is ink and pens, and as of December, Calligraphy!<br />
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<h2>
Calligraphy Resources I Recommend </h2>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362395246/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362395246_6dfaaf36e9_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Beginning Calligraphy Class on Creativebug </h3>
It all started with a Creativebug class by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls called <a href="https://www.creativebug.com/classseries/single/beginning-calligraphy">Beginning Calligraphy</a>. I was wowed by Maybelle's simple, gorgeous style, and her approach to teaching is so calming. I really liked her idea of embracing your "mistakes" and just taking joy in making lettering that looks handmade. It made learning so much more fulfilling!<br />
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If you must start anywhere, my advice is start with Maybelle's class!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362395621/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362395621_d2d83ea0f5_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Find the Right Tools </h3>
<b>Sumi ink with a Nikko G nib</b> was perfect for me - but I started out with materials that frustrated me, so I want to save you the aggravation and just say - start with these! I've filled pages and pages with practice lines and Maybelle's lovely alphabet, and every time it has been so restful.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362395291/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362395291_c7759471a9_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Beginner's Modern Calligraphy Class by The Postman's Knock </h3>
Another wonderful value has been the Beginner's Modern Calligraphy course by <a href="https://thepostmansknock.com/">The Postman's Knock</a> - all through my break I slowly worked through the lessons, and her tips have been so helpful!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362395256/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362395256_bc7507b0df_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Free Worksheets and Drills on Kallialitheia</h3>
Another lovely free resource are these ornament drills on <a href="https://kallialitheia.com/">www.kallialitheia.com/</a> - her Instagram account is very inspiring!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362601387/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362601387_56100950e5_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Books: Mastering Modern Calligraphy by Molly Suber-Thorpe </h3>
For Christmas, I was gifted Mastering Modern Calligraphy by Molly Suber-Thorpe - and I spent hours going through her inspiring tips and lettering.<br />
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This book is good for someone who already has a grounding in calligraphy, so I'm saving some of this for when I've got more practice under my belt...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362395211/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362395211_e97626d452_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Books: The Gift of Calligraphy by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls</h3>
I was also gifted The Gift of Calligraphy by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls, and this is a GORGEOUS book!<br />
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Again and again, I come back to the Maybelle alphabet as an inspiration, here I've worked it in white ink and dark scrapbook paper...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49361931953/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49361931953_edb9b03e4d_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49361931783/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49361931783_acd5e05f32_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Dinky dip set from Caracol Creative </h3>
I ordered a dinky dip set of inks from <a href="https://www.caracolcreative.com/">Caracol Creative</a> - I think it was a wonderful value and has been so helpful in keeping my work area neat and tidy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362601372/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362601372_9d398d8a19_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362395481/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362395481_db2a00f533_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Gold ink was just fabulous!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49361932013/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49361932013_85138c7fb2_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I spent countless hours over the break, filling pages with words I love - this has been the most fun exercise...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362601257/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362601257_416b272a3a_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h3>
Free Flourishing class on Loveleigh Loops </h3>
I am currently working on a free Flourishing class called Simple to Spectacular on <a href="https://loveleighloops.com/">www.loveleighloops.com/</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362395351/in/photostream/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362395351_1e0780b405_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49361931743/in/photostream/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49361931743_509c078edc_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Flourishing doesn't come naturally to me, so I'm enjoying learning and extending my skills...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/49362395336/in/dateposted/" title="Calligraphy practice"><img alt="Calligraphy practice" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49362395336_319e4eeb6c_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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What a fabulous time I've had! So, yes, I will still be around, working on projects that stimulate my interest, although I'm not sure how much I will blog about it. I'm so grateful for all the time you've spent with me, and I hope 2020 blesses you thoroughly with new skills and inspiration!floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-57397814832733707322019-10-15T12:00:00.000-05:002019-10-15T12:00:02.400-05:00My sweet Dot<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48903761282/in/dateposted/" title="Goodbye, sweet Dot"><img alt="Goodbye, sweet Dot" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48903761282_456f64758e_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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My sweet cat Dot died on Saturday. It wasn't a surprise - if you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that Dot was diagnosed with congestive heart failure almost 1 year ago. The real surprise and blessing, for us, was that she lived so long, longer than the best case scenario the vet had given us - a mere 10 months. I was halfway through chemotherapy when she was diagnosed, and terrified that she would die. She was my buddy, my constant companion, purring at my side, always, when I felt my worst, a silent, furry, wonderful friend who asked for nothing more than a bowl of food, water, and to be cozy and near me.<br />
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The internet is a funny thing - here on this blog, I wrote <a href="http://unafloresita.blogspot.com/2014/01/feline-friday.html">when Dot walked into my life</a>, January 2014, 5 years ago. <a href="http://unafloresita.blogspot.com/2014/02/feline-friday-sofia-and-dot-visit-vet.html">I talked about getting her fixed</a>, and those special first moments when I got to know her and saw how unique and sweet her personality was, but I left the story there and never continued it. It's heart wrenching to read how I tried to shoo her away, because there were too many stray cats.<br />
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I didn't know then she would become <i>my Dot</i>, the little cat that saw me through every up and down I encountered in the past 5 years. Life and love are funny like that. It's so hard to appreciate the life that you're living. On a certain level, you may know that you are blessed, but it's hard to quantify these blessings until they are no longer with you.<br />
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So, I am actually glad that Dot was diagnosed with heart failure last year - not glad that she had heart failure, or had to die, but glad that we finally had a reason for her vomiting and hiding and shyness - maybe the whole time I had her, she had been ill and in pain. Having a diagnosis made life harder, but we at least knew her time with us wasn't permanent, and we were able to fully appreciate the time she had left with us, to really savor it and love her, no holds barred.<br />
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<h2>
Dot's story</h2>
So, here is the rest of Dot's story!<br />
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In January 2014, a very sad, wet little cat appeared in our garage. She looked older and in poorer health than the other strays that had taken up residence in our garage that cold winter. I got her fixed, along with 7 other stray cats, and continued feeding and caring for them as best I could. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/11874848443/in/album-72157711316624883/" title="Dot when we first met"><img alt="Dot when we first met" height="426" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7440/11874848443_a092b1e597_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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In November 2014, I found Dot with an abscess the size of a tennis ball on her little face. I didn't take a photo, because just looking at it made me ill! I rushed her to the ER, where her little face was shaved, the abscess drained, and the vet told me she'd need a clean place indoors to recover. I had no desire to have an indoor cat - my room was tiny and cramped, but I made a little space for her.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48903087847/in/photostream/" title="Dot in her bowtie"><img alt="Dot in her bowtie" height="426" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48903087847_06620bbccf_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Throughout the winter, I tried to find a home for her, but no home was in need of a sweet cat. So Dot became my cat. I had never shared a room with an animal before - I tried to be stern at first, but I quickly lost the battle for my bed.<br />
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I don't know when exactly, but at some point I realized she was my closest friend. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48904216712/in/dateposted/" title="Dot in her favorite spot"><img alt="Dot in her favorite spot" height="361" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48904216712_d2ab687605_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Always there next to me, a quiet, loving, patient presence. She was there for me when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, seeing me cry when no one else did. I actually sensed something was wrong with me, when Dot instinctively began sleeping very close to me, pressed against the very spot where my cancer was.<br />
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We got through it together, then I met the man who would be my husband. Our first dates were often hangouts at home - we started dating when I was on radiation, and I was always so tired. Dot kept us laughing with her silliness - we bought her special scratch pads and catnip, and in December, a Christmas hat.<br />
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In 2017, Matt and I got married and moved into our first apartment together. Matt was not a cat person, and I worried about our life together with Dot. I remember being scared that she would scratch his records or equipment, or our new bed. But none of that happened - Dot was an epically good cat. She left our belongings alone, never scratched furniture or jumped on our couch, but the bed was undeniably her domain.<br />
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<ahref floresita="" https:="" in="" photos="" photostream="" title="Dot" www.flickr.com=""><img alt="Dot" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48898886767_bcd91d1670_c.jpg" width="640" /></ahref><br />
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In 2018, I was diagnosed with breast cancer again, and again I had a feeling it was coming when Dot began sleeping closer and closer to me. Matt and Dot stood by me through all of my surgeries and chemotherapy. <br />
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Dot had a special, magical way of being near to me when no one else could, and seeing grief and worry I'd show no one else.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48898599727/in/dateposted/" title="Dot"><img alt="Dot" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48898599727_acf921793f_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I never went to the bathroom alone thanks to Dot - which I found especially comforting when I was on chemo. Never, for one minute, was I away from her purring presence, when I felt my worst or most alone.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48899335447/in/dateposted/" title="Dot"><img alt="Dot" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48899335447_3f45374a69_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48898886502/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Dot warms my feet in the bathroom"><img alt="Dot warms my feet in the bathroom" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48898886502_692b88b9fb_c.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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In October 2018, as I mentioned, Dot was diagnosed with heart failure. The vet cautioned me that Dot could die at any time, including there, in the vet's office. I was discharged with 3 medications I had to give her twice daily. It was an epic struggle getting Dot to take her meds. Every time I thought I'd found the magic method, she'd get finicky, and start rejecting it. And there I was, at my lowest point in energy, struggling, and pulling myself out of bed to give her medicine.<br />
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Dot loved when I played the harmonica (although I wasn't any good at it). It was the only time she'd climb in my lap, and she'd sing along. :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48898546298/in/dateposted/" title="Dot loved the harmonica"><img alt="Dot loved the harmonica" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48898546298_ae4a606723_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Dot's health went up and down, and many days I was sure would be her last. This summer she got very thin, and I was constantly worried about her. Finally I tried Pill pockets, which she loved, and for a month or two she was at her best, taking her meds every day, looking the best I'd seen her yet.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48899605202/in/dateposted/" title="Dot"><img alt="Dot" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48899605202_cd18a52fcf_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We had just taken her to the vet, who was happy and surprised to see her. But that last week she began rejecting her meds in any form I tried to give them, and eating less and less. Last Saturday, she died suddenly in my arms, I tried to give her meds but it was too late, so Matt and I spent her last few minutes petting her and trying to console her.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48899277337/in/photostream/" title="Dot"><img alt="Dot" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48899277337_5c24b490f0_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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When I look back, I see a wonderful trail of blessings, a beautiful path she walked down, with me. I'm not the person I was when she met me - I grew, and so did she, and so did Matt. I feel sad, but also blessed beyond measure. How lucky I was, to love and be loved by her. The greatest lesson I learned from Dot is that nothing in life is permanent - neither pain nor joy, so embrace fully every joy that is before you.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48898406121/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Dot in her happy place"><img alt="Dot in her happy place" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48898406121_d5872f3be1_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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We'll love and miss you always, my Dot.</div>
floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-42792765787534572682019-09-04T17:00:00.000-05:002019-09-04T17:00:02.233-05:009 month update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/48607271581/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="weaving"><img alt="weaving" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48607271581_9e2120163a_o.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Is it just me, or are the times in this country just getting heavier and heavier? The recent shootings in Texas, the situation at the border, all of it has me feeling pretty down. But I honestly have to ask "Is it just me?" fairly often, thanks to having started Tamoxifen three weeks ago.<br />
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I was more worried about starting Tamoxifen than about doing chemotherapy, if you can believe that! I had read so many horror stories online, and I personally know someone who's been on it who struggled with emotional mood swings and just feeling run down all the time. But I knew I had to give it a try - I had the option to take it the first time I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I didn't, and the cancer came back. To me, that was good enough reason to try it.<br />
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I've had numerous side effects, some common, some not so common. Hot flashes, although they're not as bad as I experience on chemo. Achiness, but that was more within the first few days, and it has since subsided. Clouded vision, dry eyes, and eye pain, which is worrisome, as my vision was already affected by chemo. Extreme fatigue, which thankfully is helped by staying active and moderate exercise. I'm thirsty all the time, which is good since I drink more water now. I also struggle with dizziness and brain fog which comes and goes - I don't get it every day, and when I do get it, it passes after 1-3 hours. But while it's on it is so hard to concentrate and I make silly mistakes and can't think clearly. Sleep disturbances - I'll wake 3-4 times a night, wide awake, and have trouble falling asleep again - but again, this is helped by exercise.<br />
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And last, but not least, the mood swings. The best way to put it is that I feel extremely emotional, almost all the time. I was always teary eyed in sentimental scenes and sad commercials - now I have tears running down my face. Thoughts and memories at random also make me want to cry. I do my best to talk myself through it, so I'm not a mess in public. I've also experienced moments of depression, that thankfully pass, but when they pass I am amazed at how low I felt.<br />
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So, I now understand why Tamoxifen gets such a bad rap! I'm going to do my best to stick it out at least six months before I decide what to do next. <br />
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Also, I'm trying to see the positive side of being on a medication that makes me unusually emotional - I find myself remembering things from my childhood, and experiencing the emotions I felt at that time, all over again. It is fascinating, as these are sense memories I thought I had lost. And maybe being so emotional is helping me emotionally connect to others in my life? I hope so. <br />
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I hope everyone is doing well, and thanks to those who read these updates - I hope they are helpful to you in some way!<br />
floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-63885221087751053062019-06-03T06:00:00.000-05:002019-06-03T13:44:22.878-05:006 month update<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/47995432108/in/dateposted/" title="experimenting with English Paper Piecing"><img alt="experimenting with English Paper Piecing" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47995432108_d8a1a765b6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Thought I'd update you again - I like the idea of these updates being all in one place, for my future reference. :) As you see above I am dipping my toes into English Paper Piecing with hexagons - something I NEVER thought I'd try - the idea of a hand-pieced quilt always seemed so intimidating!<br />
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I have a tendency to bite off more than I can chew, crafting-wise, which leaves me frequently with half-finished projects and downcast spirits. So I was shocked at how well I took to hand-sewing these hexagons - my biggest inspiration being a Creativebug class on English Paper Piecing by Liza Lucy.<br />
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She explained it so well, answering all the questions that mere diagrams in books left me bursting with, and I began!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/47995432123/in/photostream/" title="experimenting with English Paper Piecing"><img alt="experimenting with English Paper Piecing" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47995432123_0339b8c0fa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I'll be doing a more in-depth post on this project on Feeling Stitchy, so keep an eye out for that!<br />
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<div align="center"><b> 6 months post-chemo</b></div>In health news, I am feeling better than ever, at my 6 month mark, post-chemo. Last week I had my first period since October 2018, which makes me so happy that my body is finally resetting itself. I wasn't liking the idea of menopause at 42, so I'm glad that everything is getting back to normal again.<br />
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Getting back to normal was a struggle, and I did have some false starts 3 months post-chemo. I had an odd series of episodes with fast, irregular heartbeats that sent me to the ER and urgent care, and ultimately to my doctor and a heart specialist. But happily, all the tests came back normal, the racing heartbeats subsided, and my doctor said that aside from a fatty liver (which I never recall having before chemo) and a vitamin D deficiency, I was doing very well.<br />
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My energy levels are finally back to normal, if not better than before! My achiness subsided as well - I've found that walking and keeping active is truly the best medicine for that. I've been working out again as of several weeks ago, so my arm mobility on my mastectomy side has really improved as well.<br />
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This is all a case of answered prayers - there were so many scary times when I doubted I would bounce back and get back to normal - I am just beyond happy at where I am right now.<br />
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<div align="center"><b>Project A Month </b></div>On Feeling Stitchy I've been doing a series called Project a Month where my one goal is simply to finish 1 needlework project per month. What I've found by scheduling my time this way, is, of course, I have way more time than I ever imagined. Last month I found myself finishing 2 projects, so I'm hoping each month I'll be able to learn how to schedule my crafting time better and better.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/47995408988/in/dateposted/" title="Ultimate needlecraft haul"><img alt="Ultimate needlecraft haul" height="409" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47995408988_5c6e96804d_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Up above you see the massive haul of vintage needles, scissors and pins I found at the thrift store for $5. I won't be needing a needle any time soon!<br />
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I hope this post finds you all well, healthy, and inspired!floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-39829616524501224322019-03-08T18:00:00.000-06:002019-03-08T18:00:04.300-06:00Dreaming of green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyre73PDO-I/XILuf8Yar_I/AAAAAAAAEG4/vjQV_L0fUbQPwRzYcNB5fH9ixKihLJezQCLcBGAs/s1600/flor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dreaming of green a post by floresita on her blog unafloresita.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uyre73PDO-I/XILuf8Yar_I/AAAAAAAAEG4/vjQV_L0fUbQPwRzYcNB5fH9ixKihLJezQCLcBGAs/s400/flor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GS3GSp57_xk/XILvMS-sB9I/AAAAAAAAEHI/wxUDU5YBcq8m8rOSAHGf8xaB8yd646G-gCLcBGAs/s1600/flor3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dreaming of green a post by floresita on her blog unafloresita.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GS3GSp57_xk/XILvMS-sB9I/AAAAAAAAEHI/wxUDU5YBcq8m8rOSAHGf8xaB8yd646G-gCLcBGAs/s400/flor3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3HDWABm7jYo/XILu5rRus3I/AAAAAAAAEHA/8WFCZ9JNuE8IlnFYmdZqvHOTZK6mKM-EwCLcBGAs/s1600/flor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dreaming of green a post by floresita on her blog unafloresita.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3HDWABm7jYo/XILu5rRus3I/AAAAAAAAEHA/8WFCZ9JNuE8IlnFYmdZqvHOTZK6mKM-EwCLcBGAs/s400/flor2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here I am again, I know it's been awhile, just wanted to say hello and share a few images I'm enjoying lately - mostly I love when I am attracted to the same colors, over and over, unconsciously, in this case lime green.<br />
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I've been doing well, post-chemo - a lot of mysterious aches and pains, but every time I Google them, they seem to be normal side effects of women post-chemo. So, I'm just trying to bear with it, and each day I do feel stronger. Had a lot of pain in my hands last month, I've never had arthritis, but I imagine that's what it feels like. This month it's my knee and the ball of my foot, I just joke that chemo left me (I hope temporarily) with the body of an 80 year old.<br />
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Aside from that, I am keeping inspired - taking Karen Barbe's class on Color Theory on Domestika, finishing my Final project for that class (in lime green, as you see above), also taking Lisa Congdon's Creative Boot Camp class on Creativebug, which is SO MUCH fun, and starting on my next Project a Month for Feeling Stitchy. I'll give you a hint what the dominant color is on that one... lime green! :)<br />
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Hope you all are keeping well and inspired this Spring!floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-4236376766862345702019-01-03T06:00:00.000-06:002019-01-03T06:00:09.315-06:00Chemotherapy update #15-16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPWhh87N92I/XC0xtWh6iuI/AAAAAAAAEAI/4jRRvNZBYQgYnxgKqeSR3zuIOmNjTaBTwCLcBGAs/s1600/birds.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1331" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPWhh87N92I/XC0xtWh6iuI/AAAAAAAAEAI/4jRRvNZBYQgYnxgKqeSR3zuIOmNjTaBTwCLcBGAs/s640/birds.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>2 lovely birds, made last year, given to chemo friends<br />
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Well, I am done with chemo! My last chemo was 3 weeks ago, and I couldn't be happier. There are no words to describe how happy I felt when I rang the bell, waved goodbye, and went home. Pure joy.<br />
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SIDE EFFECTS ON PACLITAXEL<br />
- Swelling hands and feet, weight gain - a combination of the chemo, steroid, and lack of activity, I think.<br />
- Light brown hair! I've always had near-black hair - an interesting surprise.<br />
- Mood swings - the worst ones hit about 1 week after chemo, then got steadily better.<br />
- Brain fog - off and on, getting better.<br />
- Bloody nose - finally disappeared 2 weeks after my last chemo.<br />
- Fingernail / tonenail changes - still weird looking, but getting stronger.<br />
- Small spot of possible neuropathy on the heel of one foot - it's a small spot, at least. So glad I iced my hands and feet for Paclitaxel - it made a difference!<br />
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At 2 weeks, I was feeling better on all fronts, but at 3 weeks I am feeling the most normal since I started! Finally I am able to sleep through the night without issues, drink caffeine without being super wired, and walk at a normal, unlabored pace.<br />
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What can I say, but that I am grateful. Grateful to God for preserving me in this long, arduous trial. Grateful to my husband, my family, my friends. And grateful to all of you who reached out to me or left a comment to encourage me. Thank you!!!<br />
floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-71429633945279369062018-11-30T06:00:00.000-06:002018-11-30T11:40:36.251-06:00Chemotherapy update #11-14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-md2JuzrD5Ao/XAFtKekKu3I/AAAAAAAAD_c/ZpancKuG37MqPoZ8-X0UOpwEUv5f7O0QACLcBGAs/s1600/piper.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Piper Piping progress by floresita for Feeling Stitchy 12 Months of Christmas mmmcrafts stitchalong Dec. 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1600" height="516" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-md2JuzrD5Ao/XAFtKekKu3I/AAAAAAAAD_c/ZpancKuG37MqPoZ8-X0UOpwEUv5f7O0QACLcBGAs/s640/piper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Progress on my Piper Piping ornament for the 12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong on <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/">Feeling Stitchy</a></span></div><br />
Here I am, 14 total treatments in (4 AC and 10 Paclitaxel), and I'm almost done with chemo! Yay! It's hard to describe all of the things that I'm feeling, as I near the end of this part of my treatment. <br />
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I still have so much more to go - breast reconstruction, removal of my port, and through it all the lingering questions - will the cancer come back again, and if so, when? Will I have time to enjoy a married life, have a child, and if so, for how long? Of course, these are not the questions my husband or family want to hear, so I put them here, with a small layer of anonymity to protect them and myself. But I am overall doing my best to remain hopeful about my good prognosis, while maintaining a base of realism.<br />
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Here's a few updates on the side effects I've felt while continuing on my weekly Paclitaxel treatments...<br />
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<h2>SIDE EFFECTS I'VE HAD ON PACLITAXEL</h2>- Hair regrowth - after my eyebrows thinned to about 20%, they started growing back! Also, the hair on my head is coming back as very soft baby fuzz. Still no considerable hair regrowth anywhere else.<br />
- Eyelashes falling out - still have most of my top lashes, but the bottom have almost completely fallen out.<br />
- Crusty eyes on waking - maybe a symptom of sparse lashes + extra dry skin?<br />
- Dark and white spots on fingernails.<br />
- Extreme exhaustion, dizziness, loss of balance.<br />
- Hot flashes - these are worst at night - one second I am cold, the next sweat is pouring down my head and I feel like I'm on fire - ugh.<br />
- Vision changes - foggy vision, hard to focus.<br />
- Hearing loss - I'm always having to ask everyone to repeat themselves.<br />
- Chemo brain - forgetfulness, etc.<br />
- Bloody nose - every time I blow my nose, there is blood on the tissue.<br />
- Bleeding in my mouth - 1 small spot on my inner lip - no pain, just blood, keeping an eye on it.<br />
- Very erratic sleep patterns - think I can blame this on the steroid.<br />
- Mood swings - again, the steroid.<br />
- No periods - only 1 very long period in 6 months, after I started Paclitaxel.<br />
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<h2>Positives of my chemo experience so far</h2>- No serious life-threatening reactions so far - and I'm very grateful for that!<br />
- Clear skin - no skin reactions (other than dry skin) and clear skin throughout - only 3-4 pimples in 6 months!<br />
- Vivid memories of things that happened long ago - pretty sure this is chemo related.<br />
- Strengthening of relationships with family and friends.<br />
- Becoming that person that people feel comfortable telling their problems to.<br />
- Wig fun. :)<br />
- Caring less about the little crap, and even some of the big crap that doesn't matter in life.<br />
- Slowing down and becoming aware of others around me who are also sick, struggling, and in need of encouragement.<br />
- Becoming ever more aware that God is watching over my every step and sustaining me in all of this.<br />
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An important thing to remember is that in spite of the laundry list of symptoms above, I am thankfully still functioning, still able to work and do things for myself. There are good days and bad days, but overall I am getting through it.<br />
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I'm very fascinated by the vivid memories I've been having from the past, so I wanted to describe that more. At times, they are so vivid, I feel like they are happening in that instant - it's amazing. I had a really sweet memory of myself as a very small child, looking up with excitement at the Christmas turkey, and it just filled my heart with warmth and thanksgiving.<br />
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So, I am pulling through - thank you for your comments of encouragement, for all of you who read this, and all of you fighting this fight as well, may God be with you! <3<br />
floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-41930783910146496872018-10-24T06:00:00.000-05:002018-10-24T09:20:09.522-05:00Chemotherapy update #6-10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V8JhQso0Hys/W89_2CYQnpI/AAAAAAAAD-c/6Qa51wVy_9shitfvNScvakhbxIA43BUSACLcBGAs/s1600/girl.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Maid a milking ornament as stitched by floresita for her blog Things I've Made" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V8JhQso0Hys/W89_2CYQnpI/AAAAAAAAD-c/6Qa51wVy_9shitfvNScvakhbxIA43BUSACLcBGAs/s400/girl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I took a break from religiously cataloging my symptoms, because it got me down. But I still wanted to give you (and the future me) an overview of how I felt. :) This image seemed fitting to me, as it pretty aptly describes how I feel right now - it's the Maid-a-milking pattern I'm working on for the 12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong on Feeling Stitchy - she's pretty on the outside, but such hard work to put together, and many mornings I feel like this, sort of in pieces. <br />
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Carefully, I draw on my eyebrows, add some color to my face, cover my dark circles, put my long, pretty wig on, and dress carefully to hide my uneven left side after my mastectomy. This is all important, and this all makes me feel better when I interact with the world, but I am so good at what I do that often people don't know that I am sick or going through anything at all. And I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I would rather look better than I feel.<br />
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After a week break from the AC regimen, I started my weekly doses of Paclitaxel, of which I have had 5 so far. Here are the main things I've noticed.<br />
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<h2>Side effects I've had on Paclitaxel</h2>- Eyebrows falling out<br />
- Extreme constipation (I'll leave the details out, just trust me, it's gross) :)<br />
- Exhaustion, weakness, dizziness<br />
- Dehydration - I'm always thirsty, and want to drink liquids constantly<br />
- Bone aches - minor, but there, and mainly first few days after chemo<br />
- Fingernails flattening and nailbeds darkening, tingling in fingertips (before they reduced my dosage)<br />
- Very dry skin<br />
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<h2>Things I've enjoyed about Paclitaxel</h2>- More energy than on AC, but dizziness and exhaustion can hit at any time<br />
- Able to eat more foods than on AC, still sensitive to spicy foods and coffee, but I can have a little<br />
- No nausea<br />
- Less chemo stink :)<br />
- More energy to craft and be creative<br />
- Slightly clearer head<br />
- Less sinus issues<br />
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Day 1 - Chemo day - 5th treatment<br />
I DID NOT enjoy the first treatment of Paclitaxel, as I was receiving it. I was given a heavy dose of Benadryl, which made me feel really sleepy and out of it. They put the cold mitts on my hands and feet to keep me from getting neuropathy in my fingers and toes. Having hands and feet so cold they ached for over an hour was pretty unpleasant.<br />
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I went home, slept for several hours, and woke up feeling much better. I was able to go back to work the day after chemo! The first week after I felt positively glorious, probably the combined effect of being off the AC for 1 week, and enjoying the lovely energy boost the steroids gave me.<br />
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Day 1 - Chemo day - 6th treatment<br />
This time I wasn't given Benadryl. I was more alert and awake throughout the treatment, which I enjoyed. The cold mitts and booties were not very cold, which I thought was a good thing, but I felt more side effects after my treatment. Again, I felt very tired, fell asleep, and felt better. Again was able to go to work the day after chemo.<br />
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This week was very difficult - once the steroid wore off, I was so exhausted. Every time I tried to get out to the supermarket or to run errands, I felt I was dragging my feet to even lift them, and I often felt I was going to pass out. Also felt a lot of tingling in my fingernails, and could see the whites of them expanding, as if they were separating. They also seemed to flatten out and change shape, which was freaky, too. My fingertips look permanently pruney, as if I've just climbed out of a bathtub.<br />
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My eyebrows began falling out bit by bit. At my doctor's appointment I mentioned my extreme exhaustion and tingling in my fingers and she reduced my dosage a small amount, which made a big difference.<br />
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Day 1 - Chemo day - 7-10 treatments<br />
After the dosage was reduced, I've felt pretty similar each time - exhausted right after chemo, then plenty of energy the day after. Second and third days after are pretty low energy, sometimes the fourth day after as well.<br />
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Overall, Paclitaxel has been easier than AC so far, but it's still hard. Looking forward to all of this being over soon!floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-43185095925510847112018-09-20T06:00:00.000-05:002018-09-26T09:07:19.703-05:00Chemotherapy update #3-4Here were my experiences after doing my second Chemotherapy treatment- this was the third and fourth of 4 doses of AC, every other week, after which I will do 12 weekly treatments of Taxol.<br />
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Day 1 - Chemo day - 3rd treatment<br />
This chemo hit me really hard - I think it's because I forgot to load up on lots of water the night before, and take a mug of water with me. Instead, I'd been drinking a lot of tea, and had tea with me. I won't make that mistake again.<br />
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The last dose they gave me - of Cytoxan was pretty uncomfortable. Really felt it very strongly in my nose and neck and sinuses. Typically it goes away as soon as I leave, but not this time. My nose and sinuses were very irritated for days after. I also felt a stinging sensation at my port as we drove home. Felt very tired and cruddy all evening.<br />
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Day 2<br />
Had an ok appetite in the morning. Took a Claritin right before the Neulasta shot. Felt tired mainly. Aches and pains started that night, along with a little trouble swallowing. Took an Aleve, which seemed to help a little.<br />
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Day 3<br />
Saying that I feel less cruddy - well I still feel cruddy, right? It's hard to appreciate feeling less like crap, when you still feel like crap. :) I think the bone pain and aches were definitely less, but it was still uncomfortable and really a drag. So, even though I felt better, I still didn't feel well enough to do more than sit on the couch, which was frustrating. Took an ibuprofen, and the Claritin, which helped somewhat.<br />
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Day 4<br />
Still very tired and a little sore - mornings are the toughest, and I feel better later on. The sinus issues stuck around, going through boxes of tissues. Took a short walk in the evening. Heat really affects me, as does bright sunlight - starting to feel like a vampire. :)<br />
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Day 5<br />
Tired and dizzy. Find myself fantasizing about my favorite foods, but at the same time, don't feel like I can eat them. It's a weird feeling.<br />
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Day 6<br />
Tired and dizzy, was finally able to get back to work. A lot more sensitive to strong smells - I had to throw out my bathroom soap bar because it was really bothering my nose and making me feel sick. I loved that smell before, too!<br />
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Day 7 and on<br />
Recovered bit by bit - what I learned is that it always took my body a full week after chemo to begin to feel normal again. Not completely normal, but better.<br />
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Day 1 - Chemo day - 4th treatment<br />
Loaded up on water the night before and I indeed felt much better throughout chemo, and immediately after. Had good energy and appetite that day.<br />
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Day 2 and on<br />
Yes, I gave up on chronicling the every day aches and pains - but I experienced nothing new - just the same gripes, at different times. Soreness and pain from the Neulasta shot for an entire 24 hours afterward, as well as dizziness, nausea, severe acid reflux, throat pain, and exhaustion. Again, I felt that my body never really went back to normal until 1 week after my AC chemo treatment. Also, my period showed up almost a month late, but at least I had one, I guess.<br />
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Now that I have experienced the Taxol treatments, I feel like they are also difficult, but there are far fewer side effects than the AC. If you are on AC, or someone close to you is, just be patient, it will be over soon, and you will feel better when it is!floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-47210497094712230282018-08-23T06:00:00.000-05:002018-08-29T09:38:33.707-05:00Chemotherapy update #2Here were my experiences after doing my second Chemotherapy treatment- this was the second of 4 doses of AC, every other week, after which I will do 12 weekly treatments of Taxol.<br />
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Day 1 - Chemo day<br />
Everything went well again, I had no reactions, and I was out around 12 PM again. When I came in they did a blood test, and showed me how much my white blood cell numbers had improved after the Neulasta shot. Then they followed with the treatments. Only the last thing they gave me gives me any reaction (which I now know is Cytoxan) - a tingly headache, and weird feeling in my nose, like water going up my nose after a dive.<br />
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I was anxious to take my anti-nausea meds as soon as possible, so they told me I could take them by 1:30. I was so hungry! I kept having visions of huge meals, and every food sign we passed made my stomach growl. I knew it was probably the steroid and other meds, so I tried to eat lightly. So glad I did, because by 2 PM the super hunger changed to dull nausea, which hung around all day. I'm beginning to realize chemo days are going to be a bust for me - all I could do was lay around and feel miserable, unfortunately. The nasty feeling didn't subside until 10 PM, so I stayed awake awhile to enjoy feeling better, then went to bed. Took a Claritin to prepare for the Neulasta shot the next day.<br />
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Day 2<br />
Felt great - just a bit dizzy. My stomach was turning flip-flops every time I was due to take the anti-nausea meds, so I took them on schedule. That afternoon I had the Neulasta shot - I immediately felt dizzy and out of it, but mostly ok. Ate pretty well that day, although slowly. Around 10 PM was when the aches and pains started.<br />
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Day 3<br />
Looks like the day after Neulasta is going to be a bust, too. I was in so much pain, from the waist up, especially in my neck and shoulders and back. Feels like you've been punched all over - I kept expecting to see bruises, but it was just aching. Spent the entire day in pain, took a Claritin around 10 PM, and then the pain slowly dissipated.<br />
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Day 4<br />
Still a bit achy and dizzy, but better. Had to take my anti nausea meds again, with my stomach doing somersaults. Was able to eat pretty well, spent most of the day resting, took a short walk in the evening.<br />
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Day 5<br />
Woke up achy and dizzy, so I had to stay home. Felt better towards the evening, when I took a short walk and saw a movie.<br />
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Day 6<br />
Back at work, but feeling pretty dizzy. Stomach a little fluttery, but got by without the anti nausea meds. Didn't take the Claritin to see if that's what's making me dizzy. Ate well.<br />
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Day 7<br />
Back at work - not dizzy, and much more alert. I'm thinking it's definitely the Claritin which has made me so spacey. Ate well, but acid reflux is keeping me from enjoying coffee - feels like I'm swallowing a lit match. Boo.<br />
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Day 8<br />
Had a tough time sleeping, after waking up at 2:30 AM with a sore throat and acid reflux. Didn't have much appetite, felt nauseated, was only able to do a half day at work.<br />
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Days 9-14<br />
The main thing that bugged me was acid reflux - can't tolerate anything with tomatoes, or even a little bit of pepper. A real bummer because I love spicy food and pizza, both of which are too hard on me now. Hair loss is still happening, but patchy. I have a funny cap of shaved hair going strong on the top of my head - which is great because with that natural velcro top, I don't need a wig grip. :)floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-9782227134058831542018-08-17T06:00:00.000-05:002018-08-17T13:04:35.133-05:00Chemotherapy update - Wigs!Here's another post I hope will be helpful if you or someone you know is losing their hair. I knew nothing about wigs and hair loss before this, so here is what I've learned so far! <br />
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I did a lot of online research about the hair loss process, so I would know what to expect. It really helped me to have a plan - I did my wig shopping in advance, knowing that when I was on chemo, I wouldn't have the energy or emotional stability to get through it.<br />
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Haircut and Hair Buzz<br />
First, I cut my hair into a cute, short bob - I knew my hair would fall out, but there would be less of it to fall out. 2 weeks after my first treatment, it started falling out in handfuls, so I took the plunge and got it shaved off. I had no idea what to ask for, so, I asked for the shortest setting on the clippers, which is a 1. I didn't want to look like Mr. Clean just yet. :)<br />
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<div align="center"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="280" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcuWXHB0wLM/W3cGsA84aMI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/w3033_etrBg6CI__lV14cubCOGfmsydwACLcBGAs/s320/38855414_2146404975606185_3984423396514463744_o.jpg" width="280" /> <img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="280" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQjp0EgkzVc/W3cGsDd_mnI/AAAAAAAAD9M/8-d9CzkMOeA0gfjrUTm4s8V8O1Pr2GTKACLcBGAs/s320/38846270_2146405155606167_7026846545303568384_o.jpg" width="280" /></div><br />
It is hard to look into the mirror and see a shaved head, but I was a lot less emotional than I thought I would be. I won't be winning any beauty awards, but it looked a lot less terrible than I thought it would. I kind of felt like Ripley in glasses. And my head was a lot less lumpy and awkward than I had imagined. Ugh, but all those spiky little hairs as they fall out and poke me in the head are a real pain!<br />
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Wig Shopping<br />
My goal was to have at least 1 moderately priced, good-quality wig, and a bunch of other cheap fun wigs for running to the store, going out, etc.<br />
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After a lot of research on Youtube, I settled on a cute side parted bob by Estetica called Jamison:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Jamison by Estetica" height="320" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0215/7310/products/jamison-by-estetica_estetica_wig-synthetic_cysterwigs_wigcloseouts_androgenic_alopecia_pcos_wigs_toppers_accessories-5_1024x1024.jpg?v=1530143264" width="240" /> </div><br />
Jamison retails around $216, but many online stores have good sales that could put it in the $150 range. After wearing this wig for several days, I do think it is a nice quality wig that looks very realistic. It is very light and pretty comfortable, even for people with large heads like myself. The permatease in the scalp is pretty scratchy, but the bonus is you get more body in your hair if you want it. You can also manipulate the part a bit and the mesh / lace makes the scalp area look very real. Everyone who has seen this wig says it looks like real hair. I had some quality issues with the wig I received and had to exchange it, you can read more about that farther down.<br />
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Color Issues<br />
Color is a challenge - because all you have is this one small photo of someone with a hair color not even remotely like yours. Being Hispanic, there is a real lack of models who look like me, so I really have to use my imagination and go out on a limb when ordering.<br />
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The first color I ordered,<b> R4-6</b>, looked like my hair color in the tiny thumbnail: <br />
<img height="100" src="https://www.wigsbypattispearls.com/media/colorswatch/image/image_base/157/1903/R4-6_C.jpg" width="100" /><br />
But when I received the wig and tried it on it just wasn't right - it was way too brown, and kind of a golden brown, that doesn't really show in the thumbnail. Again, I think this reveals a limitation for Hispanic, and Asian wig shoppers - there aren't a lot of colors with the right tone for us.<br />
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On my second try, I ordered <b>R2-4</b>, and that was a better match, but still a lot more brown than it appeared in the thumbnail:<br />
<img height="100" src="https://www.wigsbypattispearls.com/media/colorswatch/image/image_base/157/1904/R2-4_C.jpg" width="100" /> <br />
But seriously guys, look at those tiny thumbnails - do they not look the same to you? <br />
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My best advice is to go into an actual wig store and try on to find the right shade. But in my experience the saleslady refused to give out style numbers and colors, assuming I would order it online. That was really off putting because I would happily order in person, and pay more if I had a good experience with her.<br />
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Ordering Wigs Online- Exchanges, Ugh<br />
Exchange policies - do your research! The Jamison wig arrived with damage I could not see, but since it was shipped directly from the wig manufacturer <a href="http://esteticadesigns.com/">Estetica</a>, I have no way to prove it was damaged by them and not me. When I sent it back to the store they saw the damage and assumed I was responsible. I have been going back and forth with the store for 3 weeks - they are charging me for 2 wigs, even though I only have one. The customer service people have been very unsympathetic, even though I told them I was a first time wig buyer and a cancer patient on chemo with a limited budget.<br />
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So my advice is do your research on the store return policies and ask as many questions as possible upfront. I think I could have saved myself a lot of time and money that way. Based on my experience I would not recommend the store I purchased from, I don't even want to name them, but I'll let you know when I have a better experience.<br />
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Inexpensive Wigs<br />
I found a great local wig shop with really affordable prices and the best part was that all the wigs were in the middle of the store and I could just put on a wig cap and try on every single one! I highly recommend visiting a local wig store like this because you really can't tell from a photo if a wig will look good on you or not. It's a great way to find which styles work for you.<br />
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My favorite inexpensive wigs so far are Bobbi Boss wigs:<br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2j_3Z4lK0kU/W3b9p59AVrI/AAAAAAAAD9A/CTQEz6dMxYUxfWpZAjZW6_GnyjFhyLm9ACLcBGAs/s320/20180720_211812.jpg" width="240" /><br />
Bobbi Boss Jesse wig - Color 4<br />
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Bobbi Boss has full price wigs in the $50-$60 range, but you can usually find them on sale for $25 and less. Their color options are a much better match for me, they do have lighter colors but their strength is dark colors. <br />
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I had a great experience ordering from <a href="http://www.ebonyline.com/">Ebonyline.com</a>. They had a good sale going, and with their $4.99 Flat rate shipping, I ordered my wigs on a Sunday night and had them by Thursday. They also had the lowest prices compared to other stores I saw.<br />
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So that's my experience with wigs so far. Do you have any good wig recommendations? Please leave a comment and let me know, or ask me any questions you might have!floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-48953070616352939042018-08-03T18:00:00.000-05:002018-08-08T09:49:26.031-05:00Chemotherapy updateI thought I'd try to keep a log here on my personal blog of my experience of chemotherapy. I'm too shy to do a video log, but I found it so helpful to read through other people's accounts of their chemotherapy experience, I decided to add my own thoughts, for anyone who is curious and wants some insight into the process.<br />
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I am having 4 doses of AC, every other week, followed by 12 weekly treatments of Taxol.<br />
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<h2>My First Chemo Treatment</h2>Everything went well, and I was out of the doctor's office within 3 hours. My understanding is I had a steroid and several anti-nausea meds, in addition to the chemo. Aside from the very last thing they gave me, which gave me a weird, prickly feeling in my nose (like when your head goes underwater and water goes up your nose) I didn't feel anything at all during treatment. I was alert, awake, and very hungry during and immediately afterward. <br />
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About 3 hours later, the nausea and dizziness kicked in. I had 2 anti-nausea meds to take - one is Zofran, a 12 hour med, and another to take if that one wasn't working. I was so nauseated that I took the Zofran first, then the other within an hour. Neither helped and I spent the next 8 hours feeling like I was about to throw up, although I never did. This was my most miserable evening - I tried everything to distract myself - reading, music, tv, and nothing helped - I just had to wait it out. In addition, 1 of these 2 meds gave me mild hallucinations, which were not pleasant.<br />
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Day 2<br />
The next morning I felt better, though still dizzy and lightheaded. My stomach felt fluttery - like I was about to feel sick, and I had very little desire to eat. Even the thought of food made me feel like I might be sick, and I didn't want to smell food. I went back to the doctor to get a Neulasta shot - that went very quickly. I felt lightheaded afterwards, but that could have been just the chemo. The nurse told me that people who take Claritin in addition to the Neulasta shot feel less bone pain, so I gave it a try. I felt great that day, aside from my stomach feeling fluttery and not having much desire to eat.<br />
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Day 3<br />
Sometime in the night, I started feeling very uncomfortable as I slept. My shoulders ached, my chest felt heavy, and it seemed hard to breathe. By the morning, I felt like my throat was swollen, and I was having a hard time swallowing. There was almost a clicking sound/feeling every time I tried to swallow. I felt pressure on my chest, like something was sitting on top of it, and making each breath difficult. Naturally, I was scared - I called my doctor, but as it was a weekend, it was awhile before they got back to me. Several hours passed, and I fell asleep. When I woke, I was feeling slightly better. The doctor decided it was not a typical side effect, and because I wasn't wheezing, they didn't think it was an allergic reaction. They told me if I started wheezing to go to the ER.<br />
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I felt better after that scare, and my major complaint was aching shoulders and a slight headache, and the same feeling, that I just didn't want to eat. Interestingly enough, as soon as I took my second dose of Claritin, the aching disappeared, I had more energy, and I felt much better.<br />
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Day 4<br />
My main feeling was tiredness. I slept a lot later than usual (I never sleep in) and had pretty low energy. Still had very little interest in food.<br />
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Day 5<br />
The same - I tried to wake up and get to work, but a wave of dizziness hit me, and I stayed home. This was the first day I didn't take the Zofran, and I was pleasantly surprised to find I was no longer nauseated. I started being able to eat a bit more, but I kept my diet very plain and simple - I just didn't crave anything else. I ate vanilla Greek yogurt, juice with a banana blended in, jello, applesauce, and something very small like a bean and cheese taco - for some reason that is the one normal food I HAVE been craving. :)<br />
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Day 6<br />
I was able to go to work, but my walk from the parking lot was a struggle. I went up 1 flight of stairs and felt like my heart was going to pop out of my chest, I can't remember ever struggling so hard! Very short walks were likewise a struggle. By lunchtime I was wiped out so I went home, and actually felt so dizzy on the way home I wondered if I should be driving.<br />
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Day 7<br />
A replay of the day before, again I was wiped out by noon, and had very little energy for short walks and stairs. But this was the first day I started craving normal foods - to celebrate, we ordered a pizza. I struggled to get down 2-3 slices - which is very weird for this pizza-lover!<br />
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Day 8<br />
I dressed for work and was hit with another wave of dizziness and nausea, so I had to stay home. I spent most of the day sleeping, off and on. I had a bit more energy and appetite. I cooked our first real dinner that night, and ate well.<br />
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Day 9<br />
Today is the first, most "normal" day I have had so far. I slept well, was hungry for breakfast, hungry for lunch, and for the first time craved coffee (which I normally love). <br />
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Updated to add:<br />
Days 10-13<br />
Feeling pretty close to normal - normal energy, able to multi-task. Main thing that has stuck around is the noisy stomach and acid reflux anytime I eat anything with tomato, drink coffee, or have anything spicy.<br />
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Day 14<br />
Today, the day before my second treatment, was when my hair loss began. I'd been losing little bits here and there, which seemed normal but this morning, every time I ran my hands through my hair, hair came out. Every time. I'll let it stick around for a few days, and maybe get it buzzed this weekend.<br />
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<h2>Weird Things I Have Noticed While on Chemo</h2><ol><li>Sudden exhaustion - One minute I'll feel fine - the next, completely winded and exhausted.</li>
<li>Slow walking - I feel like I walk like an 80 year old. </li>
<li>Hard to focus - Particularly the first few days after chemo, it was hard to multi-task. I could only keep track of 1-2 things at a time.</li>
<li>Not wanting to eat - It's hard to describe - sometimes my stomach will be growling, but I don't want to eat, or even think about eating.</li>
<li> I stink! Literally! There is a strange, unusually nasty smell coming from my armpit (but only the normal arm, where I didn't have lymph nodes removed.) I know, TMI, but I felt so freaked out, I'd like other people not to be taken by surprise.</li>
<li> Acid reflux, noisy stomach, and very frequent trips to the bathroom. I have to sleep propped up, or I'll get a burning in my throat. Some days, especially right after chemo, I felt like I lived in the bathroom. :)</li>
<li>Dark under-eye circles - I noticed these right after my first treatment, because I have never had dark circles before.</li>
<li>Hot flashes - Yup, I'm getting them.</li>
</ol><br />
I didn't want this list to be totally negative, so I thought of a few things that I see as "good things" that have come from being on chemo.<br />
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<h2>Things I Have Enjoyed While on Chemo</h2><ol><li>I appreciate little things much more - when I do feel good, I feel so happy about it that I can enjoy it more.</li>
<li>Reading - I've been reading through the Little House series of books. It's not difficult, and strangely comforting.</li>
<li>Not being online - I go online as little as possible when I'm feeling poorly, and it helps me stay calm and focused.</li>
<li>Not stressing about things that don't matter - when my energy is at a minimum, I put aside the things that are not deal-breakers, and don't let myself worry about them.</li>
<li>Prayer and quiet time - When I'm feeling most worried, I pray. I also find moments to sit and just "be" without having any plan or goal.</li>
<li>Walking slowly, you see more - Slowing down has made me more aware of what's going on around me.</li>
<li>No energy for anger - I can't muster up the energy to be super-angry, so I'm not. :)</li>
</ol>Well, that's the breakdown of how I am feeling so far after my first chemo treatment. To anyone going through chemo who is reading this, I hope it won't be a source of fear or discouragement, but maybe it will help you feel less alone if you are feeling the same things. Everyone is different, and not everyone will react the same way, so don't let this scare you! Another thing I have noticed is I have no energy for stitching and crafting on my weak days, so I just try to make up for it on days I feel well.floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-45705007037544244132018-06-13T06:00:00.000-05:002018-06-14T11:53:41.589-05:00Baring all today<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2018/06/wonderful-wednesday-in-bloom.html"><img alt=" Wonderful Wednesday 59 - Free In Bloom pattern by Jess Wariorka as featured by floresita on Feeling Stitchy" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rENJFZSx8mw/WxlUDIQZBpI/AAAAAAAAD6k/B-N2X6osohkA46eF-PskHm8V-Tmnw6wcgCLcBGAs/s640/ww59-01.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />
First of all, I want to thank all of the readers who have found me here - I know this sparsely populated personal blog will never have the same reach as the lovely multi-person blog I contribute to, Feeling Stitchy, but I am comforted and encouraged all the same by the people who take the time to read my posts here. I did a post on Feeling Stitchy to account for my frequent quietness and absence lately from the blog, you can <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2018/06/wonderful-wednesday-in-bloom.html">view it here</a>. In it, I featured a lovely pattern by Jess Wariorka on the DMC site, because I thought it was a lovely way to "unveil my scars" and bare all, so to speak, you can <a href="https://www.dmc.com/us/in-bloom--pattern-9004487.html">find the free pattern here</a>.<br />
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The long and short of it is, I have breast cancer. This is my second time around with hormone-positive (HER2 negative) breast cancer. My first time, in 2015 was relatively easy, in comparison - I had a lumpectomy on my affected breast and since it had not spread to my lymph nodes, and was caught early, all I had to do was 6 weeks of radiation, and no chemotherapy.<br />
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In truth, it was a confusing time - I found myself feeling at times, that I had never had "real cancer" because I was constantly reassured by doctors and other cancer survivors alike, that I had the "best cancer", the most curable cancer, a slow growing cancer that was very unlikely to kill me.<br />
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I felt like a fake cancer patient, like I didn't have the right to be frightened or worried, and I did my absolute best to plow forward. I was open with my diagnosis, but that backfired on me many times, as people, confronted with the knowledge that I had cancer, had so many intense reactions, and I found myself having to comfort them, and hear their stories of grief and loss, as they inevitably mentioned people they loved who had lost their fight. <br />
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As a result, I began to choose more carefully who I would share this information with, as I didn't want to cause distress to others (and by extension, myself). That was the primary reason I chose not to share my diagnosis online - that, and my desire to remain as private as possible.<br />
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My second time around, I simply felt it was time to share my diagnosis with you, and I think the turning point came when I began doing research for wig videos on Youtube. I discovered so many brave women, sharing one of the most intense and frightening battles of their lives, with courage, humor and grace. And their bravery and honesty brought me courage. There were so many different kinds of stories, and just as many different kinds of treatments, but the common thread was their positivity and their unselfish desire to do at least one thing to help calm the fears and worries of another person who is also facing this diagnosis.<br />
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Another common thread in these videos was the theme of trusting yourself, being persistent with doctors who are not inclined to diagnose you with cancer, knowing your body, and being aware of when it changes. I experienced the same thing, and I am glad I was insistent, as it would have been easy to accept the "all clear" if I hadn't been in touch with the differences in my body. I had numerous checkups with my surgeon and oncologist, and 3 clear mammograms since my last diagnosis. I had to literally point to the lump I found, otherwise the surgeon would not have noticed anything amiss in what looked like scar tissue.<br />
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My second time around I am experiencing what is called a recurrence - cancer in the same spot it was in last time, and cancer in 2 lymph nodes. I had a mastectomy on my affected breast a few weeks ago, and next month I will need to start on 6 months of chemotherapy. I won't lie, I am afraid - I have seen at least 1 person in my family go through chemo, and 1 close friend, and I am not looking forward to it. But I am confident that God, who has brought me safely to this point, will bring me safely through it.<br />
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So again, I wanted to thank you, however few you may be, the readers of my personal blog for keeping up with me over the years. Your comments and support and interest have meant so much to me. I'll chime in when I can, here or on <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/">Feeling Stitchy</a>, do tune in there, if you haven't already.<br />
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And I just wanted to say, if you are fighting this fight, or have fought it as well, you are not alone. Sometimes, there are people like me, fighting it right alongside you, and you aren't aware of our presence. In the same way, God stands by you in your fight, although you can't always sense God's presence. My love and hope to all of you, my blog friends!<br />
floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-60997953531641647192018-04-05T17:30:00.000-05:002018-04-06T08:37:04.331-05:00China Obsession<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/26389230107/in/photostream/" title="2018-04-05_03-31-05"><img alt="2018-04-05_03-31-05" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/816/26389230107_6fe9ac6158_k.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I have a new obsession to report and it is china. I stumbled on this obsession by chance when planning a birthday party for my sister, who adores Jane Austen. I thought, why not a tea party theme, with authentic British china? <br />
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And down the china rabbit hole I plunged!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/41217242292/in/photostream/" title="2018-04-05_03-31-43"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/806/41217242292_22f426eabd_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="2018-04-05_03-31-43"></a><br />
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I initially thought, quite erroneously, that it would be easy to find lovely teacups in my local Goodwills and thrift shops. Perhaps <i>it once was,</i> but I'm afraid the vintage teacup craze has resulted in there not being much out there to find. And when you do find it, you must buy it immediately, as there's no chance it will be there when you return.<br />
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I tried to find lovely pieces that were well-crafted, and that had some historical significance. These pieces were all created in a Blue Onion type design, which originated in the 1740's. There are actually 3 different china patterns up above, you might pick them out stylistically, but I think they blend nicely with each other.<br />
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The lovely teapot is a Winterling design that I think was made to look like Meissen and/or Czech Zweibelmuster designs. I can't pinpoint the date exactly from the mark, but it could be anywhere from the 1930's-60's. I love the blue rose finial on the lid.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/40365246165/in/dateposted/" title="2018-04-05_03-49-26"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/876/40365246165_d60667df1f_z.jpg" width="640" height="481" alt="2018-04-05_03-49-26"></a><br />
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The teacup is Blue Danube, made in Japan, while the saucer and plate are Noritake Fair Wind - I scored a set of 4 saucers and 4 plates at Goodwill, for $6:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/26389280377/in/dateposted/" title="2018-04-05_03-32-26"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/885/26389280377_0732e39e2b_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="2018-04-05_03-32-26"></a><br />
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Although it's a thrill to find lovely old things at cheap prices, I really enjoy <i>just looking at all of the items</i>, turning them over in my hands and learning to tell quality items from cheaply made, mass-produced ones.<br />
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For example, while I think this tiny (2 cup) Blue Willow Sadler teapot is gorgeous and glossy in person, I notice its little defects. There are little gold smears on the inside of the lid, and a raised dot or two. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/40365068605/in/dateposted/" title="2018-04-05_03-34-18"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/880/40365068605_f2aa80011e_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="2018-04-05_03-34-18"></a><br />
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In its defense, it is lovely in person - the glaze plays tricks on your camera and makes outlines look rough, when in person they're quite crisp and nice. <br />
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There was a small chip on the underside of the spout which the Ebay seller didn't mention, so I unfortunately won't be using it. But I think it was a steal for the price and it is lovely to have around.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/41260910281/in/photostream/" title="2018-04-05_03-35-08"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/884/41260910281_75f304e3c0_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="2018-04-05_03-35-08"></a><br />
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Adorable, isn't it? Do any of you have a china collection? I'd love to hear about it! :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/41217318322/in/photostream/" title="2018-04-05_03-35-51"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/800/41217318322_31869b847d_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="2018-04-05_03-35-51"></a>floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-71525922561624391112018-02-01T06:00:00.000-06:002018-02-01T10:25:29.095-06:00Knitting Retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrTLsEbcjNA/WnM8NZ2ks4I/AAAAAAAADzw/sMj9GOdJwf4gRw4oI5ocH-ahpGgV9YqXQCLcBGAs/s1600/27024314_2022297911350226_28567313197082258_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Knitting Retreat photos by floresita, from her blog" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrTLsEbcjNA/WnM8NZ2ks4I/AAAAAAAADzw/sMj9GOdJwf4gRw4oI5ocH-ahpGgV9YqXQCLcBGAs/s640/27024314_2022297911350226_28567313197082258_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I've just returned from a knitting retreat, it is my third year going and each time has been something special. This year was misty and grey each morning, a bit cool, perfect for walks and quiet times of solitude.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKGhzirXjAo/WnM8f2TiYiI/AAAAAAAADz0/YX8bydw2DRou5CUF_5prp7xXe13w0M3LgCLcBGAs/s1600/knit.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Knitting Retreat photos by floresita, from her blog"border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKGhzirXjAo/WnM8f2TiYiI/AAAAAAAADz0/YX8bydw2DRou5CUF_5prp7xXe13w0M3LgCLcBGAs/s640/knit.jpg" width="640" height="460" data-original-width="1288" data-original-height="926" /></a></div><br />
I worked on 2 hats, the first in a nice gray alpaca wool for my husband, and the second in this marvelous Liberty Wool in a shade called Painted Desert. It was donated by a local yarn shop, in the hopes that we might make something they could give away, which I did. <br />
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I cast on 88 stitches on size 6 and 7 needles, and as I knit pretty tightly it was rather small, hopefully perfect for a child's hat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mrtqv101w54/WnM9U8pIZ2I/AAAAAAAAD0A/ljvFRLJ7sr8QSPAgS7CemcgcvvHAMascgCLcBGAs/s1600/39076573165_55be8d1b60_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img alt="Knitting Retreat photos by floresita, from her blog"border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mrtqv101w54/WnM9U8pIZ2I/AAAAAAAAD0A/ljvFRLJ7sr8QSPAgS7CemcgcvvHAMascgCLcBGAs/s640/39076573165_55be8d1b60_k.jpg" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-FgzujY2IA/WnM9UwCQA_I/AAAAAAAAD0E/IjApDZWxcw4D0kpBxMq6KZG2W-KOVtd4gCLcBGAs/s1600/39974524191_bcdbc4a958_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img alt="Knitting Retreat photos by floresita, from her blog"border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-FgzujY2IA/WnM9UwCQA_I/AAAAAAAAD0E/IjApDZWxcw4D0kpBxMq6KZG2W-KOVtd4gCLcBGAs/s640/39974524191_bcdbc4a958_k.jpg" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a></div><br />
I really loved the unique colors in this yarn!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0NgQOIQpWss/WnM9pEbVRYI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/zaVbCJYh5oA_cMj42hwwEjouJX7euav_gCLcBGAs/s1600/27369018_2022298298016854_7140848725900497827_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img alt="Knitting Retreat photos by floresita, from her blog"border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0NgQOIQpWss/WnM9pEbVRYI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/zaVbCJYh5oA_cMj42hwwEjouJX7euav_gCLcBGAs/s640/27369018_2022298298016854_7140848725900497827_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" data-original-width="1440" data-original-height="1080" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNL-NGJxqDA/WnM9pKIOGrI/AAAAAAAAD0M/0viIWjdNU0sylM9ZS2h5-8_mQ0CTlsoogCLcBGAs/s1600/27541017_2022303134683037_3211089962982856013_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img alt="Knitting Retreat photos by floresita, from her blog"border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNL-NGJxqDA/WnM9pKIOGrI/AAAAAAAAD0M/0viIWjdNU0sylM9ZS2h5-8_mQ0CTlsoogCLcBGAs/s640/27541017_2022303134683037_3211089962982856013_n.jpg" width="640" height="480" data-original-width="960" data-original-height="720" /></a></div><br />
It was such a marvelous gift, watching these ladies knit, and spending time with them in quiet and sometime raucous and silly talk. :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uFlvz_AEU_w/WnM-QaB_kuI/AAAAAAAAD0g/HS5sXkqLaXMCrpOhuaiL80PdPZrGb8QxgCLcBGAs/s1600/27164825_2022653117981372_6827463317096865500_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Knitting Retreat photos by floresita, from her blog"border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uFlvz_AEU_w/WnM-QaB_kuI/AAAAAAAAD0g/HS5sXkqLaXMCrpOhuaiL80PdPZrGb8QxgCLcBGAs/s640/27164825_2022653117981372_6827463317096865500_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykbbZiyPr4o/WnM-Qch1OYI/AAAAAAAAD0o/MM8QJ5SPTE8ewtFXLprQwmE8tO-Fr48IwCLcBGAs/s1600/27164948_2022301731349844_3692246684794719361_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img alt="Knitting Retreat photos by floresita, from her blog"border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykbbZiyPr4o/WnM-Qch1OYI/AAAAAAAAD0o/MM8QJ5SPTE8ewtFXLprQwmE8tO-Fr48IwCLcBGAs/s640/27164948_2022301731349844_3692246684794719361_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" data-original-width="1440" data-original-height="1080" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5biYkSeAvU/WnM-QZuwuAI/AAAAAAAAD0k/DGXu0VImNEQbSOhDO08fkG1HlBJVCfFpwCLcBGAs/s1600/27368557_2022652984648052_4249966025199946777_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img alt="Knitting Retreat photos by floresita, from her blog"border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5biYkSeAvU/WnM-QZuwuAI/AAAAAAAAD0k/DGXu0VImNEQbSOhDO08fkG1HlBJVCfFpwCLcBGAs/s640/27368557_2022652984648052_4249966025199946777_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a></div><br />
As I always say, I can't wait for the next one!floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-23381167872798120842018-01-04T06:00:00.000-06:002018-02-01T10:42:13.074-06:00Baby Hats for my godson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nTB57ygG-A/WnNA2TvVT2I/AAAAAAAAD08/iwahSOmCikM5AkGqKrAzvGMa30ALxTA5QCLcBGAs/s1600/26167043_2010935965819754_6829576670062303633_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img alt="baby hats for my godson, by floresita for her blog" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nTB57ygG-A/WnNA2TvVT2I/AAAAAAAAD08/iwahSOmCikM5AkGqKrAzvGMa30ALxTA5QCLcBGAs/s640/26167043_2010935965819754_6829576670062303633_n.jpg" width="640" height="640" data-original-width="960" data-original-height="960" /></a></div><br />
We had an unusual cold snap in early January, and all I could think about was my little godson's tiny head - yes, I'm sure his parents had prepared for winter, but as cold as it was, I knew he needed wool. I finally put to use some beautiful wool my dear friend Amanda had sent me when I was recovering from surgery over 2 years ago - this alpaca yarn was so divinely soft, I knew it must be for a special project:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0mRdYgIlnkw/WnNA2Wzx6qI/AAAAAAAAD1E/12wZhw7GR_o4lsbuNU2WVWh-zznqqnVFQCLcBGAs/s1600/26169496_2010935925819758_7777256255397727710_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img alt="baby hats for my godson, by floresita for her blog" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0mRdYgIlnkw/WnNA2Wzx6qI/AAAAAAAAD1E/12wZhw7GR_o4lsbuNU2WVWh-zznqqnVFQCLcBGAs/s640/26169496_2010935925819758_7777256255397727710_n.jpg" width="640" height="640" data-original-width="960" data-original-height="960" /></a></div><br />
I couple of my dear friends in NY sent me that adorable ribbon, and it was perfect for this little gift.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8GWhRo99R4/WnNA2RF2WFI/AAAAAAAAD1A/EswIDXu1PiQNKNGI3gcLzu1H6RcUM5NYQCLcBGAs/s1600/26219314_2010935942486423_1297934339631081447_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img alt="baby hats for my godson, by floresita for her blog" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8GWhRo99R4/WnNA2RF2WFI/AAAAAAAAD1A/EswIDXu1PiQNKNGI3gcLzu1H6RcUM5NYQCLcBGAs/s640/26219314_2010935942486423_1297934339631081447_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" height="640" data-original-width="960" data-original-height="960" /></a></div><br />
I used the free <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/very-basic-baby-beanie">Very Basic Baby Beanie pattern</a> on Ravelry and lo and behold, it was a perfect fit! <br />
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He also seems to find the wool quite tasty, added bonus. :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqGhj_Lj-LI/WnNCm4bm1YI/AAAAAAAAD1U/H3qPpMXQ4gEFjW5F3n3_A5RwUcUApuoFQCLcBGAs/s1600/26220989_10215163478191017_3927349032287316857_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="dear Teddy, by floresita for her blog" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqGhj_Lj-LI/WnNCm4bm1YI/AAAAAAAAD1U/H3qPpMXQ4gEFjW5F3n3_A5RwUcUApuoFQCLcBGAs/s640/26220989_10215163478191017_3927349032287316857_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-16818767817618117482017-09-09T18:00:00.000-05:002017-09-09T18:00:35.165-05:00On the perils of keeping poisonous plants<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36712912710/in/dateposted/" title="2017-09-08_03-33-23"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4427/36712912710_154a4a5246_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="2017-09-08_03-33-23"></a><br />
<br />
Although I'm fairly sure I've driven off most of my readers due to neglect of this blog, I'll ask a question of the ether: what are your feelings on keeping poisonous plants? <br />
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That beautiful Dieffenbachia plant above was so inviting in the plant nursery that I bought two, one for my mom, and one for myself. The label seemed to have all the pertinent info about it - the temperatures it likes, amount of sun, how often to water, etc.<br />
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Nowhere did the label mention: extremely poisonous plant. And yet it is! <br />
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I felt so guilty giving my mom that plant that I immediately called to warn her. It's the sap that's poisonous, not the leaves, so gloves and skin covering (and eye covering) should do when cutting in, and no getting it near eyes and mouth. I'm fairly ok with keeping this plant on the balcony, out of reach of my cat (and with no small children in my house).<br />
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This one, I'm not so sure about:<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36296587243/" title="Euphorbia tirucalli"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4413/36296587243_0abf6a26d8_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Euphorbia tirucalli"></a><br />
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This cute, spindly cactus-like plant was a gift. Likewise it came with a nice, descriptive label which I ignored, and began hacking into the extra stems I wanted to prune off. My sharp shears caught on the stems, and in the process I got a mess of very sticky white sap all over my arms and hands. I was lucky I was wearing glasses, and I resisted the temptation to rub my eyes just in case. Also I think I was lucky in that my arms were covered with potting soil, which showed me just where to scrub - since the sap dries clear and colorless, like glue.<br />
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Of course, nowhere on the label of the Euphorbia Tirucalli did it mention how poisonous that sticky sap is. The nickname "firesticks" gives you a clue, though, as my Google research told me the sap can make your skin feel like it's on fire, and cause temporary to possibly permanent eye damage. I thoroughly scrubbed it off after thoroughly freaking myself out about it.<br />
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No reactions occurred until the next day, when I scooped up the clothes I was wearing to throw them in the wash. My arm immediately broke out into a hot, raised rash with tons of tiny blisters. All I did was touch the clothes for a second. I can only imagine what prolonged exposure would have done.<br />
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So I find myself very on the fence about this plant - I'm clumsy, and can easily imagine myself tumbling down on it. Would you keep a poisonous plant? floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-90376936757286765672017-09-08T17:30:00.000-05:002017-09-13T09:30:43.072-05:00A Honeymoon of Plants<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36296553363/in/dateposted/" title="My caladium"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/36296553363_4e4952134c_z.jpg" width="640" height="510" alt="My caladium"></a><br />
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Oh boy has it been a long time since I wrote here last, and in that time, I've gone absolutely bonkers for plants.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36920788896/in/photostream/" title="Another caladium"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4361/36920788896_ac67203ec0_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Another caladium"></a><br />
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I'm not sure quite when it happened. Somewhere after the hubbub of moving into an apartment with my husband, newly married, enjoying the quiet of this new shared existence, I was drawn to plants like I've <i>never </i>been before.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36748571652/in/dateposted/" title="Begonia rex"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4347/36748571652_e18c600dc1_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Begonia rex"></a><br />
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Don't get me wrong - I have always loved trees, flowers, and being outdoors. But that's where it generally ended - outdoors. Something about seeing plants in pots never gave me a thrill. Until recently.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36920783806/in/dateposted/" title="Unfurling caladium leaf"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4422/36920783806_5f18597c1d_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Unfurling caladium leaf"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36296578813/in/dateposted/" title="Caladium leaf unfurled"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36296578813_8ee4070f2f_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Caladium leaf unfurled"></a><br />
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There's something so fascinating and so pleasing about watching plants grow. Such a thrill in watching a leaf slowly unfurl. To notice a stem or a leaf has turned towards the sun. I can't describe it, I guess. But it's addictive and wonderful.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36296568633/in/dateposted/" title="2017-09-08_03-36-38"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4403/36296568633_900bf26628_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="2017-09-08_03-36-38"></a><br />
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And there's such a beautiful, wide assortment of plants, and in my climate, luckily I can grow them almost year round. Each day the balcony gets a new friend.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36296584993/in/photostream/" title="Pineapple plant"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4379/36296584993_383156e939_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Pineapple plant"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36938999452/in/photostream/" title="2017-09-08_03-38-20"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/36938999452_3c1012a2d5_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="2017-09-08_03-38-20"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36296582663/in/dateposted/" title="Potted succulent head"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4350/36296582663_1a5955d8db_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Potted succulent head"></a><br />
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Right now I'm taking supreme joy in watching a cane begonia my mom gave me sprout slowly from its roots:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/36938934522/in/photostream/" title="New leaf"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4376/36938934522_1cf1145b5d_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="New leaf"></a><br />
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Where will it end? Who knows! So far, I've been having a lovely time with my new friends!floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-13771009909020776752017-03-31T06:00:00.000-05:002017-03-31T13:01:33.072-05:00Vintage Wedding Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, I have a problem. I live in the wrong decade for bridal wear. :)<br />
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One of the reasons I find it so hard to get excited about wedding dresses is... they just don't do it for me. After a few searches, my Pinterest account became hijacked with images of modern bridal wear, and I realized <i>I don't like any of it.</i><br />
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But after a few searches for <i>vintage </i>bridal dresses I realized I love wedding dresses, just not the ones from this century. :)<br />
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So as I go to get fitted <i>one more time, for a wedding dress that <u>still </u>doesn't fit right</i>, enjoy these lovely bits of bridal inspiration from previous years, all pinned to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/nyfloresita/vintage-weddings/">Vintage Weddings</a> Pinterest board...<br />
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floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-21983417465423483832017-02-10T06:00:00.000-06:002017-02-10T10:53:13.511-06:00Bride and Groom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/32664682771/in/dateposted/" title="Finished Bride and Groom hoops!"><img alt="Finished Bride and Groom hoops!" height="441" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/460/32664682771_f7dc9810f6_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
So I haven't been around here too much lately, but I have a very good reason for that - I'm engaged! I finally found the perfect person, and I couldn't be happier. But I've been plunged headfirst into the odd world of wedding planning. I feel very out of my element - I've never been the "plan your elaborate wedding since birth" type. I like things simple, but lovely, and I like things to be a certain way. And I also know I want to DIY as many things as I can without it looking too silly or taking on too much to handle.<br />
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As a result, I've started planning a few simple projects along the way, which I'll post monthly to Feeling Stitchy. The first project is up above, <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2017/01/bride-and-groom-hoop-free-pattern.html">a free pattern</a> for two Bride and Groom hoops. The design is very simple - just the lettering, but you can adapt it in just about any way possible - with beading, fabric, and wrapping your hoops in a decorative way.<br />
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I opted for our wedding colors - navy and ivory, using a navy linen I've used in previous projects. I also used DMC Snow White for the bride hoop and DMC 822 (an Ecru shade) for the Groom hoop. I wrapped the hoops in ivory and light grey bias tape to give them a neat look. I also love the Chantilly lace on the bride hoop and delicate stitches on the groom hoop.<br />
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Did you DIY anything for your wedding? Would you like to see a DIY project in particular? Let me know! :)floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-29373874903653157772016-12-07T06:00:00.000-06:002016-12-07T14:16:37.779-06:00"Secret" Embroidery on Feeling Stitchy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/29670148263/in/dateposted/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Taupe fabric background"><img alt="Taupe fabric background" height="367" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5704/29670148263_ee5cf84229_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Well, I finally posted the results of my "secret" embroidery project.<br />
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The project was a wedding embroidery for my cousin, AND a review of the new DMC Stitchable Mesh fabric. The finished post is on Feeling Stitchy: <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/12/review-dmc-stitchable-mesh-and-pattern.html">http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/12/review-dmc-stitchable-mesh-and-pattern.html</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/31360838166/in/dateposted/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="floating"><img alt="floating" height="427" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5504/31360838166_25a0f0b71c_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Stitching on the mesh was a wonderful experience, but it did have its challenges, all of which I go into in my post.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/30589906613/in/dateposted/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="flower detail"><img alt="flower detail" height="387" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5748/30589906613_20c885e128_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
My favorite part was probably the sheen of it - it makes everything look like it's glowing - and layering fabric underneath creates an added "floating" effect.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/31253139932/in/dateposted/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="mesh detail"><img alt="mesh detail" height="427" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5569/31253139932_1ec1538a73_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Here is my finished project - a lovely wedding hoop:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/30589899593/in/photostream/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="finish"><img alt="finish" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5788/30589899593_fd44a09735_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/30589892483/in/photostream/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="detail"><img alt="detail" height="415" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5646/30589892483_fbce9bd367_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/31029505960/in/photostream/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="glow"><img alt="glow" height="448" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5642/31029505960_be6e2ce0c4_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I'm doing a very special giveaway on Feeling Stitchy - if you like the pattern I used for the embroidery, I'll <b>create a custom pattern<i></i></b>, with the names of your choices, for <b>two winners<i></i></b>! <br />
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I haven't gotten a lot of entries so far, but I'm still very excited to create a pattern for the people who have responded. Please <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/12/review-dmc-stitchable-mesh-and-pattern.html">add your name to the comments</a>, if you're interested!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/12/review-dmc-stitchable-mesh-and-pattern.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSOC4Lzxy78/WENC24pCImI/AAAAAAAADGo/zHhYhOCzo40CaByYnIJjbAJdQrawLOfiQCLcB/s1600/free.png" /></a></div><br />
What do you think of the mesh and my project? Please leave a comment to let me know. :)<br />
floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-18220503825612443632016-11-22T12:00:00.000-06:002016-11-22T12:00:11.172-06:00It's better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.modernfolkembroidery.com/product/light-a-single-candle-free-pdf-pattern/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uAyzKYVKaog/WDRofrsHWVI/AAAAAAAADD4/vtJwO-5yzeIMSLs3M3oFuEV_Hspv1xSaACLcB/s640/better.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a preview of the pattern I'm featuring tomorrow on Feeling Stitchy for Wonderful Wednesday - this lovely free pattern was tweeted to us last week by <a href="http://www.modernfolkembroidery.com/product/light-a-single-candle-free-pdf-pattern/">Modern Folk Embroidery</a>, and to me, it speaks volumes.<br />
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I'm going to be totally honest - these past few weeks have been hard. Every day, I find myself re-assessing where I am, and how I am to respond. The acts of hate I have seen out there don't belong in the country I love, and yet, they're there. There is division in families, friendships, workplaces and churches. I find myself asking each day "what can I do?" What can I do to stem the tide of hate, what can I do to protect the people in this country who are afraid, who are being attacked, and who are vulnerable?<br />
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It's taken some time, but here's my answer: every day, however I can, I'm going to do what I can do. <br />
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Every month, I've decided to donate to a different organization, even if it's just a small amount, to protect the rights of people that are being threatened in this country, and protect the fundamental freedoms of this country which make it truly great. This month, there were quite a few, so I started off with more than one, and I'll continue as my budget allows:<br />
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To protect the freedom of the press and ensure that no president may threaten a free press, I subscribed to: <br />
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">The New York Times</a></div>
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To support publications that write things I am enriched by, write challenging articles that are <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/02/09/checkpoints">rigorously fact-checked</a>, and make me want to learn more, I subscribed to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/">The New Yorker</a></div>
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To hold the governing bodies of this country to their highest standard, I donated to:<br />
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<a href="https://www.aclu.org/">The ACLU</a></div>
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These are all small things, the mere lighting of a candle, but each time I can, I will do what I can. Where my budget will not allow, I'll do my best to help with my hands and my feet. <br />
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But above all, when I see people being threatened, or who are being hurt or are afraid, I will stand up for them, however I can. As my favorite prayer says, I will do all of this "with God's help."floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-70654133879892344872016-10-31T06:00:00.000-05:002016-10-31T09:00:26.900-05:00Vote embroidery for Feeling Stitchy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d-o6AWG9E5g/WBdLJv7IUEI/AAAAAAAADAY/dcFCg_0aqDsXFIhV2PSZ4KHQka4hXlQAwCLcB/s1600/vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d-o6AWG9E5g/WBdLJv7IUEI/AAAAAAAADAY/dcFCg_0aqDsXFIhV2PSZ4KHQka4hXlQAwCLcB/s640/vote.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I had so much fun stitching up this <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/free-vote-pattern-winning-design.html">free Vote pattern for Feeling Stitchy</a>. It all started with Twitterfeed shutting down as of today, and me wondering how people find the blog the most. <br />
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So I crunched as many numbers as possible, but also thought it would be fun to let everyone "vote" from the particular place they were seeing the blog - Twitter, Blogger, Facebook, and Instagram.<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bjhwDCo6TS8/WA-lt0Lw6iI/AAAAAAAAC-8/94oD5gtADcQRpF4Z6953daNRQK4gMAe7ACLcB/s1600/29929699573_0049d5ab21_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bjhwDCo6TS8/WA-lt0Lw6iI/AAAAAAAAC-8/94oD5gtADcQRpF4Z6953daNRQK4gMAe7ACLcB/s200/29929699573_0049d5ab21_z.jpg" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MX1e2U_eAK0/WA-l60E6hcI/AAAAAAAAC_A/-L230IPLiMEYyguxnyN8rACE6XWYILJqgCLcB/s1600/30446712712_3c3b35f921_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MX1e2U_eAK0/WA-l60E6hcI/AAAAAAAAC_A/-L230IPLiMEYyguxnyN8rACE6XWYILJqgCLcB/s200/30446712712_3c3b35f921_z.jpg" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A38RnJtMuDI/WA-l_zT97qI/AAAAAAAAC_E/6XCn9onvsIAeVmN2BllvjJdiGXwpGpHJwCLcB/s1600/29932201254_4f3ea4c3c8_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A38RnJtMuDI/WA-l_zT97qI/AAAAAAAAC_E/6XCn9onvsIAeVmN2BllvjJdiGXwpGpHJwCLcB/s200/29932201254_4f3ea4c3c8_z.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
I had 3 designs, that were all only different in terms of the fonts I used, and allowed peeps to vote. Boy, was Twitter quiet - I decided we haven't been using it as well as we could, by simply auto-posting. I'll try to be more diligent about visiting at least once a week with a more substantial presence. Facebook was also rather quiet - it could have just been the time of day. Instagram had the most votes. Honestly, I didn't even try Flickr, because it has been very quiet lately.<br />
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Stitching made me a bit nervous, as I wanted to finish on Saturday - so I woke up bright and early and lined up some coffee to get stitching the winning design. I could have added a whole lot more, but I wanted to stay true to the way I originally drew the design. I guess it was a lesson in designing, too!<br />
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This project was a lot of fun, for sure, and I followed it up by actually voting yesterday. If you haven't voted yet, please do! And if you'd like a copy of the free pattern, <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/free-vote-pattern-winning-design.html">visit Feeling Stitchy</a>! :) floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-42595418391365018152016-10-26T06:30:00.000-05:002016-10-26T08:56:59.736-05:00Fun vote project on Feeling Stitchy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/vote-for-free-vote-pattern.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BNhy8tgCA6Y/WBC0V4pFZbI/AAAAAAAAC_U/n-UzLoDTvkQsaremIaCHUufsnxOv5bkcACLcB/s400/29929699573_0049d5ab21_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Let's face it, this voting season in the U.S. has been anything but fun. So I'm doing <a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/vote-for-free-vote-pattern.html">a fun vote project</a> over on Feeling Stitchy. Vote for your favorite design, and I'll stitch it up and offer it as a free pattern on the blog this weekend. Which should give you all plenty of time to stitch up a little something in time for election day. :) What do you think? <br />
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<a href="http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2016/10/vote-for-free-vote-pattern.html">Head on over to Feeling Stitchy</a> and vote if you want your voice to be heard! :)<br />
floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29947595.post-46085122320656382302016-10-06T06:00:00.000-05:002016-10-06T10:07:31.253-05:00Secret embroidery project<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/30117930076/in/photostream/" title="Secret project"><img src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8751/30117930076_edd901f9be_z.jpg" width="640" height="362" alt="Secret project"></a><br />
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I'm calling it a <i>secret </i>project because I don't want to reveal too many details in case the receiver of this gift reads this blog! :) I'm working on a beautiful DMC gold mesh for the first time ever (which I received from the lovely people at DMC). It has been a bit of a challenge to stitch on, but remarkably well-suited to stitches like couching and split stitch, with which I worked that nice "L".<br />
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Mostly, this transparent surface has taught me the value of keeping the back of my work nice and neat (something I'll admit I've <i>never </i>fussed about before). <br />
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Once again, I have found Mary Corbet's Needle n' Thread posts invaluable in learning tips and tricks. <a href="http://www.needlenthread.com/2009/10/hand-embroidery-lettering-and-text-2.html">This post on lettering</a> in particular helped me moved away from messy knots on the back of my work.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/floresita/30117930216/in/photostream/" title="threads for secret project"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5783/30117930216_b6af18a0d8_z.jpg" width="640" height="394" alt="threads for secret project"></a><br />
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Here are the threads I've chosen for my secret project - all DMC, with the exception of the one Nun's Boilproof skein (which I haven't used yet, but is there for its vintage prettiness). :) <br />
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It's been wonderful fun so far, and I'll reveal the results to you next week! :)floresitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12684933322612185834noreply@blogger.com0