Day 611

Lab work is back.

After several weeks of hubby's kidney tests improving, these most recent results are heading in the wrong direction. Blah.

And after multiple blood tests from my doctor's appointment this week, two things of note. First, my inflammation number is sky-high. Higher than it has ever been in my life, so no wonder I've been hurting. Secondly, of all the numerous things they were checking for no fewer than 10 (that's ten) came back abnormal. Just great.

While that may be sarcastic, what is not sarcastic is how great the quilting is turning out on the kids' quilts from Day 602, Day 605, and Day 607.

I'm especially proud of the work I'm doing on the purple one from Day 607. Straight stitching, a meandering stitch, my favorite curls, a decorative stitch, and even a getting-better-all-the-time free motion flower. I love how it looks on the bright purple section of the backing. I just might be able to call myself a quilter pretty soon.

Day 610

On my way back from the gas station I took the back road across the dam. The foliage around the lake is always pretty this time of year so I stopped to get some pictures.

While I got exactly what I was looking for - pictures like this one - I also got much more.

I've learned that if I'm patient enough I can get an even better picture. As I was sitting waiting for the sun to break through the clouds a bit more, some birds appeared and decided to line up for me.

Most of them flew away but a few stuck around.

And just in case I missed my shot, one stayed behind.

Day 609

I'm not a Halloween person so the thought of finding a picture reflecting the day seemed a daunting task. That is until I looked out the window as I was waiting for the doctor to come in. Add a couple little photo color enhancements and...

As Halloween-y as I get. As for everyone else, enjoy your time with your trick or treaters.

Day 608

Most days I love my camera. Occasionally it doesn't get me the picture I want.

Today's sunrise was spectacular. Blues, purples, yellows, and oranges. But the camera just couldn't capture the true colors.

Day 607

I've purposely kept the following information out of the blog, but it's time to open up about it.

It started with an uneasy feeling and progressed into an on-edge feeling. It has continued with additional symptoms. The inability to get to sleep or stay asleep. Excessive worry. Stomach aches. Sweating. Pounding heart. Uncontrolled eating.

Turmoil, like a knot in the pit of my stomach, or in my chest or in my head. So much so I'm about ready to burst. Or maybe yell. Or maybe throw something. Or maybe cry hysterically. Like I'm going crazy.

After searching the internet for the symptoms, I'm self diagnosing myself. Anxiety disorder.

For quite some time I had been the relaxed live one-day-at-a-time person. But that changed a few weeks back. I think balancing caregiver with worker and wage earner with bill payer with housekeeper with sewing-for-charity lady with gardener with rheumatoid arthritis sufferer with _________ (fill in the blank) has gotten the best of me.

I've been trying really hard to avoid other people for fear of having an outburst. I haven't had one yet but I'm on the verge of losing it. I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday so I gotta hang in there just another couple days.

The worst part has been just that - the fear of losing it. Also the uncontrolled eating - that's not the greatest either. The only way I've been able to cope is to hide. Hide in the sewing room and try and keep as busy as I can.

The first version of this next quilt top was a little off. I contemplated taking all the borders off but decided against it. The second version looks a little bit better with the addition of some appliques on the corner. Sure hope the little gal likes purple.

Day 606

How do you know you're loved? When a kitty cat comes and hangs out on the bar stool while you're cooking in the kitchen.

Except it wasn't out of love for us...it was love for food. She thought we were getting ready to feed her.

Day 605

Another day, another quilt top put together for a little guy with a dad in the Air Force.