Hey Y'all!

It's 2012 now and I thought it was time to bring you up to date on what's been going on these past few months.

Fall semester was a challenge for me to get through.

The fun started two weeks into the term.  I went to Urgent Care on Labor Day, where they confirmed the painful lumps under my right arm were caused by a staph infection.  I was given a prescription to fight it, but that didn't work.  A week later, three of the bumps had gone away but two others had combined forces into a 'mega-bump.'

When I saw my PCP's NP, I was directed to go to the ER for an incision and drainage (I & D) of the lump. Gail was concerned that the staph could interfere with my dialysis graft, so she made me promise to go to the ER that day, but she also said it was okay if I went to my ASL class beforehand.  Unfortunately, Carol missed that part of my text, so she headed out to the ER.  Imagine my surprise when I was signing in at the ER desk to hear my name spoken behind me.  She'd been camping out for an hour waiting for me to get there.  It was awesome to have her there with me because my niece, Anna, was at Children's Hospital in Wilmington, DE, that night, so my mom couldn't make it down to Annapolis.  Anyway, Carol was with me through the whole thing; the sick-o likes watching medical procedures because she's an EMT.  I spent two days in the hospital on IV antibiotics and a culture confirmed that the infection was MRSA.  That's the 3rd time I've had it.  Consequently, I had to drop my Entrepreneurial Thinking course because the due dates couldn't be extended; part of the class is to compete in the Best of Business contest. I knew I needed to  have less stress in order to heal, so it was an easy choice to make.

Then October rolled around... I purchased a ticket to the Multiple Sclerosis Fantasy Ball over the summer, although the ball wasn't until Halloween weekend. On the way to the Ball, my cell phone rang.  It was Carol calling from West Virginia.  She and her brother were camping with their families when she fell coming out of her RV. She landed with her foot between the metal stair risers and snapped her leg and ankle. It was snowing heavily out there, otherwise I'd have

Waiting for the doors to open

just turned to head west.  I had a great time at the Ball, but was worried about Carol throughout.  The theme was "Goblins & Gears" which translated to Faeries & Steampunks.  Kasey and I were Fae trying to act Steampunk, but we got it a little bit wrong.  I was sparkly but had reading glasses rather than goggles. Kasey had a lace Elizabethan collar with her satyr horns and sparkly cape (that I made myself!).  

The Faery Queen & her faithful servant

Kasey was, of course, the belle of the ball.  I heard numerous compliments on how well-behaved she was and how friendly, too.  She was a hit with the children who were present, for sure.

And she won a door prize! ...which she gave to me since it was the "Pamper Yourself Bath Basket." Candles, hand-made soaps, fused glass soap dish & candle holder! She's a lucky little sod! She won a Grand Prize at the LYS opening in September, too.

The day after the Ball I started running a fever that lasted for five weeks.  Five tests later, there were no answers as to the cause and the fever just suddenly went away.  The doctors still don't know what was going on.  Unfortunately, the resultant "fever brain" meant I couldn't concentrate on school or anything else; my memory was non-existent.  When I talked to the doctor about it, there were at least six different times where I knew there was a specific word I wanted, but I couldn't think of it; I could only explain the definition or say "painkiller that starts with F" and she would have to start guessing until she got it for me.  I wanted to scream in frustration every time it happened! It also meant I couldn't remember ASL signs or how to finger-spell words...which meant I had to withdraw from ASL before I failed the class.  My remaining class of the semester was Introduction to Fine Arts, which I arranged to receive an Incomplete in; I have until February to finish the coursework.

Also in November, two pieces of my needlework were featured in the Textile as Art exhibit at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.  My work was in a gallery, y'all!  How freakin' cool is that?!  The pieces that were on exhibit were my counted tread book, A Stitcher's Companion, and Ocean Star, a needlepoint piece in which I changed the colors to suit my fancy (tagged as 2009 finishes). I also demonstrated needlepoint, stitching for the first time in over two years, during the First Sunday sale on November 6th.  I worked on another Nancy Buhl piece called Iris and Fans Quilt. This is the progress I made in the five days around the First Sunday demo. Of course, I haven't touched it since then.  Not because I didn't want to, but because my eyes were so strained I had to get prescription reading glasses after dealing with severe pain for two and a half weeks.  When an ophthalmologist tells you that OTC readers are good enough and that your eyes will "even out" please don't believe him. Eyes don't work that way, and I found that out from a friend who stepped in and asked me to come see her at her work, Lens Crafters.  Amazingly the pain that I was taking hydrocodone for immediately went away when I put on my new prescription readers.

To sum it up, Fall 2011 was just not my semester.  My friends, and even some of my professors, say that it's because I was doing so much: school, work study, Relay For Life, the Fantasy Ball, dialysis, and dealing with the health issues that arose.  And I hadn't had a break since before my cancer fight and resultant two surgeries during the Spring term.  Maybe they're right; I don't know.  But I'm trying to slow down.  Really!  Besides the two courses, I dropped all my extracurricular activities, including History Club.  I couldn't completely withdraw from school and I couldn't not work my work study job, although I did lose my eligibility when I withdrew from the second course.  I've been reinstated and begin work again on Tuesday, so that's been resolved. The one thing I was not willing to give up was my seat on the Planning Committee for the Arnold/Annapolis Relay for Life event. I figured it was only a once-per-month commitment, so I could handle that.

Dishcloth Angel

Acrylic Scrubbles

Speaking of Relay, I've raised $106 through the sale of my knitted items.  My team, Make Cancer History!, is selling dishcloth angels and acrylic scrubbles.  Angels are $7 each, with $6 going to Relay and $1 set aside to buy more yarn; scrubbies are $3 each or two for $5.  Because the yarn for the scrubbles was donated to us, we are not holding money back to buy more; there's more than we can knit this year!  If you're interested in participating in a Relay event, supporting Make Cancer History! by purchasing items, or helping us make them, please send me an email.  There are many color choices available for both angels and scrubbles.  To make a donation, join my team, or honor a friend or loved one who has/had cancer with Luminaria, please choose the appropriate link on my personal page. My goal is $2500.00 and I've already raised over $300.  In total, we've raised $197 just from the sales of angels and scrubbles, thanks to the volunteers who are knitting and crocheting away on them! 

Unfortunately no one in my family was on camera duty this Christmas, so no one took pictures.  My nieces and nephew loved their gifts.  I was particularly surprised how attached Caleb was to his belts; he wore both of them as bandoleers and used the iGun app on my iPod to "shoot" everyone in the house.  Within 20 minutes he was re-loading and switching guns all by himself.  Not bad for a 4-year-old.  He doesn't have any toy guns, so the virtual gun on the iPod is as close as he gets.  He'd completely forgotten about it by Wednesday when he and his mom, cousin, and sister came to visit me, in any case.  He was wearing his belt, though!

As for knitting, I ended 2011 with 44 knitting finishes.  They included:

6 pr. Felted Duffers (slippers) - 4 were gifts
7 dishcloths (assorted patterns)
16 dishcloth angels (Relay Fundraiser)
6 scrubbies (3 for Relay)
3 cowls
3 scarves
1 pr. wristlets
1 mini fascinator, felted
1 tunic-length cardigan

All in all, I'm happy to have 2011 behind me and I'm looking forward to 2012.  I hope you and yours have a happy, healthy, and safe 2012 as well!  ...and I will endeavor to update here more often.

Love,
Beth
with Kasey Kay

I think my crafting friends will appreciate this story:

When I found out about the First Sunday demonstrations, I had to find the thread pack, chart, and canvas for the project.  The canvas was easy; it was in my 5-drawer lateral file cabinet, where I keep "all" my needlepoint (NP) and cross stitch (XS) stash.  I say "all" because that's what I believed.  Until I tore apart every drawer of the file cabinet, going through hundreds of charts, looking for the one that went with the canvas that was already on stretcher bars.  Then I went through the sweater organizer that holds all my fabric.  Still no NP chart or thread pack.  The only NP charts I could find were the ones I'd already completed. So where were the rest of the charts I hadn't stitched but kitted up?  They weren't in the rolling craft tote in my closet; that was empty.  But no. My Stitch Bow binders with the full set of DMC were in it, so it wasn't empty. The two rolling craft totes beside the dining table were empty; no need to look there.  So back to the lateral files. I went through the three 12-inch-high stacks of charts again...Checked inside every file that looked like it was stash-related...Pulled out all the picture frames and assorted board games that were hiding out of sight within the drawers...Still no thread packs.  Then the two rolling craft totes caught my eye again and I decided to open them...You know where this is going, right? 

AAK!!  My stash multiplied!  Beads, XS kits, fabric, NP canvas, thread packs, charms, sequins...I thought they were empty! I thought one 1'x1'x3' drawer of nothing but charts, a sweater organizer of fabric, and some miscellaneous other hiding places was it.  I had no idea both the rolling craft totes--that I was planning to sell, mind you--were chock-full of even more stitching stash!

Holy productivity, Batman! ...and then there's more homework!

 I’ve done all.the.things. for my Instructional Strategies (IS) course.

I don’t know how I got through last week! I started my work study job on Tuesday, which is jammed in between dialysis, IS, and Water Aerobics classes.

"Work Study?" you ask.  Why yes! I was approved for WS last year, but decided not to add any more to my plate.  Somehow that reasoning left me and I interviewed for one position and received an offer less than 24 hours later.  After a 5-year medical retirement, I'm finally back in the work force and I'm excited.  Details are private, but I'm having a blast assisting with internships and service-learning projects.

I went rowing with the Strokes4Survivors cancer survivor group on Tuesday night, and when I got home there was a notice that I had an apartment inspection on Thursday or Friday.

I was gone from 10am until 6pm on Weds, then did homework until 2am. I blew off reading 3 chapters for Instructional Strategies and doing the study guide so I could have a chance to clean.

I had to clean the apt because it looked like a tornado went through, papers & notebooks were everywhere & my kitchen was a disaster area.

I finished at 7am and had to be awake for IS class by noon. Needless to say, it was an early night Thursday, and building management had been here to inspect while I was gone. sigh of relief

So yesterday...

• Week 7 Weather lab completed & submitted
• Choice Project #2 for IS completed & submitted
• Extra Credit Choice Project (10 pts, so I made up for not doing the 4pt study guide on Thursday) completed & submitted
• Started Module 1 of Teaching the Adult Learner (Online class starts Monday, runs 2 weeks)
• Printed syllabus, course calendar, all slide presentations for note-taking
• Began Mod 1 slide presentation.

Imagine my shock when I looked at the clock and it was 4am! I slept til 1:30 this afternoon, when Kasey finally woke me up to go outside.

My IS Final Exam was submitted online this afternoon, so everything is done for the course.

This week is just as crazy as last week. On top of two online classes and my regular dialysis schedule, work study is Tues-Thurs afternoons and Water Aerobics meets 3 evenings a week.

I get to breathe on Friday when all I have to do is go to dialysis and sit my ass in the chair for my treatment. I’m also taking a break Sunday afternoon to participate in a Knitting & Meditation class taught by Sarah of The Sanguine Gryphon. She’s doing a free class to get her Yoga certification.

Sooo….this week’s work includes:
Weather:

• Answer discussion question by Weds
• Discussion response by Saturday
• Ch 8 Study Questions by Sunday
• Ch 8 Weather lab by Sunday

Instructional Strategies:  DONE!

Meets for the final time on Tuesday, when I present my last two Choice Projects. They are activities I am going to use when I discuss the laws pertaining to service dogs and medical personnel with my school’s EMT students. They will liven up the discussion and keep everyone engaged. I’m very excited about them, can you tell?

Teaching the Adult Learner:
Due Weds:

• Post introduction to the discussion forum DONE
• View Mod 1 PowerPoint 1/2 done
• Discussion Board (DB) response

Due Fri:

• DB reaction to one response someone made on my post
• Read 2 chapters
• View Mod 2 PP
• DB Post
• DB Response

Due Sunday:

• DB reaction
• First Class Checklist project
• Read 2 Chapters
• View Mod 3 PP
• DB Post
• DB Response

Water Aerobics:

• Complete Resting Heart Rate computation (need 3 morning readings) 1/3 complete

Summer Semester is Here (Ugh!)

So Summer term started today.  I've been working on my online Fundamentals of Weather coursework since Friday night when the online classes became available. I only have one more assignment to do for Week 1.  My Water Aerobics course started today.  It was definitely a workout, which I seriously need.  Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons, so I'll be in the pool three days a week.  I'm hoping for some muscle tone in a body that has been mostly sedentary for far too long.  Part of that I had no control over, but I should have gotten moving before now. Speaking of moving, my Golden Girl was in a down-stay for over 30 minutes!  She was awesome and didn't come to the side of the pool to bark at me or come in the water to rescue me.  I'd had visions of both, as she's done both before, so I was very proud of her. The lifeguard, who happens to be the head of the Health & Physical Education Department at my school was also impressed with Kasey Kay.

Tonight was also the induction ceremony for Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society.  Here's me, corded & pinned:

Of course Kasey was with me.  She enjoyed the reception food after the ceremony. She indulged in several cheese cubes, a cream puff, some meatballs, and a bowl of ice water to wash it all down. I'm pretty sure she had a good time because she's been sleeping since 8 o'clock when we got home.


We had a pretty quiet weekend last weekend and I was glad to be free of the thunderstorms that have been occurring on an almost-daily basis for the past week. I tried taking a nap the previous Sunday and was rudely awakened by a panicking Golden Girl.  She does not like the boomers.


As for my knitting, I'm progressing on my cowl because it's the easiest to knit.  I haven't touched the Trellis Shawl since my last progress picture, and progress on the tank top is quite slow as it's a 6-stitch repeat.  I'm going to try to resist the temptation to start something else when I finish the cowl, though.  I want the shawl and the tank to be finished by September so they can be entered in the county fair.  If it's done early enough, I will also enter the Trellis in the State Fair.  We'll see what happens.

Summer is coming!

I know the calendar says that summer doesn't start for over a month, but Summer Term starts on Monday.  I've had this week off from school and have thoroughly enjoyed doing nothing.  Well, nothing isn't exactly true, because I've been knitting.  Alot.  

The Buttons for my FLS

Last Friday I put the finishing touches on the sweater that made me want to learn to knit.  It's called the February Lady Sweater. Don't ask me why.  But the lace bottom and sleeves appealed to me and I wanted one, especially when I saw a friend's version made from a gorgeous variegated blue/purple cotton.  I had to have one.  She generously gave her blessing for me to make my own "one day."  Well, "one day" is here!

May 13, 2011 February Lady Completed

Trellis Shawl in Plum

I've also started some new projects because the knitting fever is upon me.  I pulled a UFO out of hibernation but found mistakes and re-started it.  It's a huge square shawl and I can't wait to see it completed.  The Trellis Shawl will be stunning!  Are you ready for this?  I'm using a yarn suggested by the designer! There's a first time for everything, I guess.  It's JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk in this gorgeous purple colorway.  I think it's the first time I'm knitting with a solid color all by itself.  I hate plain needlework, and to me, solid colors equal plain.  I think that's why I tended towards overdyed threads when I was stitching. I much prefer semi-solids to solids, which the overdyes provide.  This yarn, however, is irresistible to me.

Ocean Wave in Chung King Mansion

I even found a tank top that I couldn't resist.  It was in one of my One-Skein Wonders books, the Luxury Yarn edition.  I'm using a skein of Sanguine Gryphon Little Traveller in a blue/purple/black colorway called Chung King Mansion.  I have another skein of this yarn, but haven't found the right project for it yet.  I'm excited to wear my Ocean Wave Vest. 

Billie Holiday Feathered Cowl

I used more stash yarn to start a cowl.  I'm using the remainder of my Schaefer Laurel in the Billie Holiday colorway to make another Cabled Feather Cowl.  I've made this cowl twice before and absolutely love the pattern and the finished garment. My niece Breanna has one in a wool/silk blend and I have one in a bamboo/silk blend.  Since this one will match my FLS, I'm excited.  I plan to make it long enough to be a hood, so I can pull it over my head if need be.  

All these progress pictures were taken last night, and all three projects were started since last Friday. 

Also since last Friday, I've completed two pairs of Duffers, felted slippers.  They're not felted yet, but I'm hoping to do that this coming weekend when I'm at my brother's.  This is an uber-easy 19-row pattern that results in awesome wear-around-the-house slippers.  The ribbed bottom ensures they don't slide on smooth floors.  To date I've made seven pairs of them.  I have plans to make two more pairs.  When complete, Mom, Ian's girlfriend (Brigitte), my aunt, her daughter, my oldest niece, and Ian's girlfriend's daughters (also my nieces-Sierra & Micaela) will all have a pair.  Of course I kept a pair of purple ones for myself. I wear them all the time.

Some things have changed from my last post.  First, I switched around my classes for Summer Term because I found out there's a lab science that is all online!  I don't have to worry about spilling chemicals or scaring Kasey with Bunsen burners anymore.  It's a meteorology course, so we just use the instruments the bookstore provides to measure rain, temperature, etc. for the lab assignments.  Also, I decided not to take ASL in an accelerated format; I'm taking it in the Fall.  Instead, I've signed up for a Digital Design course.  I've registered for 10 credits but I will only take 9 at the most.  I'm waiting to hear from the school whether any classes are cancelled for low enrollment before I decide which class I'm going to drop.  Right now, the top on my list to go is the Digital Design.  It won't transfer to my 4-year school, anyway.  Unfortunately, one of the education courses is the one that looks like it'll be cancelled.  School should be making the call today. 

Spring Update

I know it has been a long time since my last post.  I'm sure you're shocked that I am posting  now, even.  Right?  I kept meaning to write a short something but events have conspired against me and other things took priority.

It's 3:24am EDT and I'm wide awake.  And I'm at Uncle Wes's house.  That's the real reason I need to write this post.  Those of you not connected to me via Facebook, Twitter, or Plurk don't know what's been going on recently. So here goes...

On Friday, February 4, 2011, I was diagnosed with a "probable melanoma" on the middle of my back.  I had a suspicious mole that started itching last fall and I finally dragged my ass to the dermatologist to have it checked out.  Two weeks later, on the 16th, the spot was removed and sent for biopsy.  It was cancerous.  

If you have any moles or freckles that have changed color, shape, or started itching, GET THEM CHECKED! NOW! Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, yet it's the easiest to treat if caught early.  And if you don't have any suspicious spots, keep it that way by always using sunblock.  This stuff kills, so take it seriously.

I was referred to a surgical oncologist and we met on February 24.  He explained that the melanoma was just over the "safe" depth of 1mm, so biopsy of my lymph nodes was standard protocol.  A sentinel node biopsy was performed on Monday, March 21.  Radioactive dye was injected into the former melanoma site and then followed to the sentinel node.  Basically, I was told the surgeon would remove whichever lymph node set off his Geiger counter, so I had no idea where the incision was until I woke up.  Dr. G told me he'd have the biopsy results by Friday.  He doesn't expect to find anything and said the chances were slim, so I am keeping that in mind.

For those who are unfamiliar with the lymphatic system please click here for a brief description.

So it is this surgery that is the reason I'm at Uncle Wes's house.  The sentinel node, which is the lymph node to which fluid (and, theoretically, any cancer cells) from the area of the melanoma would have traveled, was under my left arm.  Since I can't drive myself to and from dialysis, Kasey and I are staying with Uncle Wes until the pain subsides.  

It's been a pretty rough month or so, but I've tried to keep my spirits up.  Until a couple weekends ago I had only knit two or three times since before Christmas.  School has been keeping me super-busy, so my knitting had to take a back seat to academics.  

As for school, Kasey and I are still enjoying ourselves and I'm enjoying my courses.  I took a two-week Winter semester class on Victorian England as Reflected Through the Stories of Sherlock Holmes.  It was a fun class where we had lectures on the society of the Victorian era, watched a Sherlock-based movie each night, and visited a re-creation of 221B Baker St. in a private home in Reading, Pennsylvania.  The professor belongs to a local Scion, which is a group who meet to discuss the books of Sherlock Holmes.  In fact, there is a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode in Season 5 about a Sherlockian scion.  It was an absolutely fascinating course.  I've talked the professor into teaching it in a 15-week format because so many people expressed interest in taking it; however, too many were either put off by the two-week time frame or had other obligations the first two weeks of the year.  I think it will do very well in the Fall.

For this Spring, I am taking Physical Geography and both US History I and US History II because none of the English classes I wanted were being offered.  I really like US1 even though I've never had to work so hard in a class in my entire college career.  I have already written three essays for the class and there is an essay question on every quiz, too.  But my writing background is serving me well and I've not received less than an A for any of my assignments.  Mid-term exams were last week and I studied for days prior.  I was completely wiped out and so frazzled I forgot two different appointments in the past couple weeks. My US2 class is on Wednesday evening, but I was too tired to go.  When I told Prof. L on the phone that I was too tired to come to class, he happily agreed to let me take the exam in the Testing Center the next day while I was on campus for Geography.  Geography has been a challenge for me, but last semester's Oceanography is helping alot.  Much of the information overlaps so Oceanography gave me a good head start on Geography.  I'm not a science person and need all the help I can get anyway.  

As I said before, I've not been doing alot of knitting.  I thought having two History courses would afford me more free time for leisure activities, but that is not the case this semester.  As a matter of fact, I have another essay to write before the end of Spring Break for US1 and a verbal presentation with a slide show to put together for US2.  Even though I'm taking painkillers I've been able to start my research on President Dwight Eisenhower. I must be a genuine history nerd because I'm enjoying the book I'm reading (Ike by Piers Brendon) for the project.  I still haven't decided whether I'm going to focus on his military service or his personal life and presidency.  He was an interesting figure.  I'll have a better idea after I finish reading this book, though.  I certainly have enough time for reading, considering I have to keep a pillow between my arm and torso to keep the pain from shooting across my body.  I'm certainly not going to be out and about, that's for sure.  

I've already got my summer classes planned, though.  Unlike last summer where I tried to knock out a lab science and became too ill to continue, this summer's classes are planned around my interests and health.  First, I'm taking Water Aerobics with my doctors' permission.  My resting heart rate is very high and I'm hoping this type of exercise will help me stay fit without my body rebelling.  I'm also taking a 7-week American Sign Language course.  Once that is complete I am taking a one-credit, two-week course on Instructional Strategies followed by another two-week session of Teaching the Adult Learner.  I'm not necessarily planning to teach, but I have classes with many adults and think the added perspective will help me be a better student.  Additionally, an English and History major is bound to end up teaching at some point.  This will give me a foundation for that as well.  I'll have a total of six credits for the Summer term, which will earn some additional financial aid money.

For now, I think I ought to call it a night.  I hope you and your family are well.  Maybe by the next post I'll have completed one of my knitting WIPs so I can show you some pictures.  And if you're having warm weather, would you please send some to Maryland?  Pretty please?? Mother Nature didn't seem to get the message that Spring has sprung.

It's Been a Long Day

I didn't realize how tired I was until I found myself trying to change the channel on the television with my cell phone.  That means this is going to be a shorter post! Aren't you happy?

For some reason, I was up before 8am, so Kasey and I had time to enjoy an open-faced mini bagel with cream cheese, ham, and Swiss.  I even made it to campus two hours before my first class.  I had a bunch of History Club and personal errands to complete on campus.  Unfortunately, I spent a futile hour at the Technical Call Center office.  It wasn't their fault, though.  What I was trying to accomplish isn't allowed by the school's  network, but someone is working on the solution for me. After running my errands in the Careers, Student Services, and Student Union buildings, I barely had time to make it to my 11am class.

We had a mini kick-off meeting for History Club that lasted until 4:30 this afternoon.  I am relieved that History Club won't be a one-woman show this semester. I don't think I have the stamina to do it all by myself again.  Now I just have to learn to trust enough to relinquish and delegate some of the power.  I've worked really hard the past five months to build the History Club's campus presence and membership and I'm very excited to see the results.  Oops, I forgot to mention: I'm the History Club President this semester!

And...my GPA was high enough that I received an invitation to join the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, which I did.

So I'm even busier this semester.  I have my three classes, plus meetings for History Club, Student Activities, and Phi Theta Kappa.  I promise to make time to keep you updated on everything that's going on, despite my busy schedule.

Next time, I'll respond to some of the comments from last night's post.  For now, though, Sweet Dreams & Goodnight!

More Wandering Thoughts

Two days in a row, are you surprised?

Thank you for the lovely comments on my knitting, ladies. I'm looking forward to this year's County Fair, but don't have a "wow" project like my book that won Champion of the Cross Stitch department last year. I'm entering as many projects as possible to boost the Fair entries; they've been quite low the past few years from what I understand.

Lisa commented that while she reads my Facebook updates, she feels my blog entries are more personal. I never looked at it like that, as I saw Facebook & Twitter as a tool to keep in touch when I don't have enough time to write blog posts. Then again, writing blog posts is just a matter of making time for it.

I don't feel like I had much "free" time this summer.  I went to North Carolina in June, where I had the Vacation From Hell. Not only did I get sick while there, but the management company, in retaliation (IMHO) for bringing Kasey, who is a service dog-NOT A PET (they have a strict "No Pets" policy), charged my friend $288 to vacuum the carpet in the unit. We've been trying to fight the excessive charge to no avail as of yet.  To top off the wonderful (that's sarcasm, folks) trip, 30 minutes into our drive home, I get pulled over doing 70 in a 55pmh zone and get a $160 ticket. Honestly, no lie, I'd looked down at the speedometer a minute before and saw it was at "12 o'clock" and said to myself, You're only doing 60.  Not!  I still wasn't completely with it and saw that 60 was to the left of the needle without realizing the needle was on 70. I'd already spent the weekend with a person I can't stand (not my friend who owned the timeshare), puked my guts up, hardly eaten, and spent 3 days of a 4-day trip in bed, and then I get a friggin' ticket trying to get the hell home.  OH! And I had so much fluid retention, I couldn't even drive all the way home. I had to sit in the passenger seat of my own truck with my feet resting on the dash to try to relieve some of the pain.  I was miserable for the next few days, and Chet died four days after I returned home.  Altogether, it was the Week From Hell.

That vacation was the end of my summer course, too.  Because Geology and the accompanying lab were four hours long, three nights in a row per week, my feet began to swell and the fluid retention gradually got worse, to the point it was painful to walk or stand. By the time we left for NC, I'd been to three weeks of classes.  My dialysis docs were at a loss as to why I'd gained so much fluid so quickly (4 kg/8.8 lbs) and had solution other than to keep my feet elevated.  My overall well-being was suffering by that time. It became apparent that I had to drop the class, so I did.

Within a week of dropping the class,  I lost 3 kg (6.6 lbs).  Since then, I've lost even more because I've cut back on my Wawa Lemonade Tea.  Shocker! I know.  Not only am I saving money, but also I'm hoping to be able to fit into my trousers again.  Everything except two pairs of khakis, which are cut large, is too tight. I got fed up when I realized I had over a dozen pairs of capris that I couldn't wear during the end of the summer.  Just by cutting back on my Tea addiction, I've managed to lose almost 2 kg (4.4 lbs) more.  I'm drinking water instead, but I've had two dehydration episodes since then.

The worst bout was last night, when I lost about a liter of fluid in less than two hours. I couldn't drink enough, fast enough, to keep up with the fluid loss and was awake most of the night with severe cramps in my legs, hands, and feet. Potassium didn't help; I tried that.  I even grabbed my tin of grey salt and ate some of that to try to help.  When I got to dialysis this morning, I asked for a bolus dose of saline to replenish the 0.8 kg of body weight I'd lost, as I knew that was about how much fluid I lost the night before.  I received 1.1L of fluid during my treatment, all to no avail as it turns out.  By the time I left, I weighed the same as when I got there.  I'd already lost the entire 1.1kg of fluid.  It's frustrating, but that's how my body works.  I'm trying to balance my need for tea to keep up my electrolytes and my desire to lose a few more pounds in order to fit into the rest of my wardrobe.  It's going slowly, but it's going.

Marilyn asked a couple of questions in her comment, and I'd like to address them now.  First, she wanted to know if my cross-stitch stash was packed safely away.  The answer to that is yes and no.  My FSOT stash is in a box because I don't have room to unpack it.  My personal stash is in my 5-drawer lateral file cabinet.  It's not sorted in any way, shape, or form; I simply grabbed stacks of charts & kits and put them into hanging file folders as they'd fit.  Since I know I'm not going to stitch for quite some time, I sold all my Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts Sampler Threads to a friend of mine.  I couldn't justify hanging on to them for the next four or more years when I knew I could get over $200 by selling them for $1.50 per skein. I was shocked when I told Carol they were going up for sale and she said she wanted them all.  It did save me the trouble of having to list them by color on CraigsList or having to ship them, though.  I have some kits and charts that I will never part with, as I am clinging to the belief that I'll get back to stitching one day.  Marilyn's second question was about my health.  Overall, I'm doing well, despite the dehydration scare last night.  I did have to have a stent placed in my dialysis graft two weeks ago.  The graft wasn't clotted, but the flow was severely restricted and it was affecting my treatment efficiency. I felt well enough after dialysis to take Kasey for a walk.  We even made it to class tonight.

As I was driving somewhere around Annapolis last week, I started thinking about the underlying reason for me no longer stitching. I can't remember what got me onto that thought path, but I was startled by my conclusion. I remembered looking at my Ravelry project page, where I have all my projects from 2009 listed, and I saw my stitching and needlepoint UFO's.  Reflecting back on looking at them, I realized that I had absolutely no enthusiasm to see any of them completed.  Seeing them made me want to look elsewhere.  Then it hit me: I've simply stopped enjoying the process.  Making x's or pulling the needle back and forth through the canvas is not fun and relaxing for me any more; now it stresses me out.  I remember a friend saying that knitting garter stitch drives her bananas.  No matter how a knit project is constructed, I enjoy the process of creating it.  Maybe once I stop enjoying that process I'll go back to my other needlework. Who knows?

I had my Women's Health Issues class tonight and told my professor that getting back to blogging on a regular basis was my De-Stress Project activity.  While I love reading Facebook status updates and comments from my friends and family, I think Lisa is right: blogging is more in depth, and therefore more personal.  I have more than a 500-character box I can fill. *evil grin*

I was driving to Uncle Wes's house on Saturday and saw this guy in the truck in front of me.  I couldn't resist taking a picture (while I was stopped). Newfies are such gentle giants, and this guy is chocolate-colored, which I haven't seen much.  I was a little disturbed that he was riding without restraint or a harness, but I won't get on my soapbox on that subject. Only consider this: how far is an unrestrained 150+/- pound dog going to fly if you're in an accident? I rest my case.

Thank you all for taking the time to visit Crossed Purposes. I hope you'll be back soon.  Please feel free to leave comments and/or ask questions.  I'm going to make an effort to answer more of them in my posts rather than by private emails from now on.  If you don't want me to answer a question publicly, please be so kind as to indicate that. I'm not going to publicly call someone out for their view. I simply don't publish comments I find offensive or disturbing.  It's my blog; that's my prerogative.

I also have some house-keeping to do with links, blinkies, and other pages, but that will have to come later. I'm planning on using my winter break to re-vamp Crossed Purposes to reflect the shift in focus from XS to knitting.  I've been fighting with myself about whether or not to remove Chet's name from the header of CP and replace the picture of Kasey & Chet with one of Kasey alone (My Guardians, in the sidebar). It feels like a betrayal in some way; like the 12 years he spent with me have no meaning or value, when that couldn't be farther from the truth.  Any thoughts from other furbaby parents?

Counting down to Spring Term...

On December 30, 2009, my furniture arrived! Uncle Wes, with the help of Ben, Uncle Jay, and my father, was finally able to move my furniture into the apartment. I've been slowly unpacking by myself and Sarah and Anna came down two weeks ago to help me. We accomplished alot, even with Anna goofing off. I can't tell you how thankful I was, because up to that point, I'd had no help with packing or unpacking.

Also on December 30, I learned to knit. So far, I've finished two projects, both scarves. The pink one is Anna's "P'incess Scarf" and the dark one is for Caleb. On Monday the 11th, I started a project that will be a felted purse. The pattern is called the Lucy Bag, by Two Old Bags. A friend of mine, who has been a huge cheerleader and source of encouragement in my education endeavors, made me a dark purple Lucy Bag. Now I'm making a larger Jade Heather bag. I'm really enjoying this, because I can pull out my knitting and work on it for just a couple minutes. You can't really do that with cross stitching; you need more than 5 minutes.

School starts tonight for me, with College Algebra. I went online a few days ago and found my final test grade for last semester. Even with the elevator holding Kasey & me hostage beforehand, I got a 104 on the test! I hope I do as well this semester.

Kasey is slowly getting used to the apartment and just this week started getting excited when we pull into the parking lot. Yesterday, she was wagging her tail and dancing in the back of the truck when she saw we were home. She still doesn't find our door every time, despite the post-it note I put on it, but she knows exactly which sliding door is hers when we're out back. I think there's a smell in the hallway that throws her off, but we're working on it. I give her lots of praise when she walks directly to our door.

I played hostess for the first time on Monday afternoon! Carol B-C (stitcher) and Carol B (knitter) came down and we had a great time. I cooked a green bean casserole and a corned beef brisket and the girls brought dessert and veggies for the dip I made over the weekend. We watched the colorized version of Holiday Inn and stitched. I'm still working on my Lucy Bag and hope to have it finished by the end of the weekend.

Grades are in!

Doing the "Four-Point-Oh!" dance!

That's right! I did it! Straight A's in my first semester in college. I am so happy right now, I can't even put it into words. Thank you ALL for your support and encouragement!

I know some of you were disappointed when I stopped stitching, but this proves the break was worth it! All the hard work and self-deprivation (from stitching, the computer, and television) paid off HUGE dividends!

...and it all starts again on January 20th. Next semester I'm taking College Algebra (Fall semester was a refresher course-comparable to Algebra 2), English Composition & Literature (Reading Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, One of Ours by Willa Cather, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald), and History of Women of the Western World.

I sign my lease in 3 days and am super excited. See you soon!

Hugs,
Beth

It happened on the way to my Algebra final exam...

I started studying for my Algebra final around 1pm and worked straight through until a little after 4:30pm. Then I left for campus and arrived about 5 minutes late. Kasey and I walked into the building as usual, got on the elevator...

and then...

I should preface this by letting you know that I hate heights and things that move at heights. I have panic attacks if I'm on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in a traffic jam and can feel it swing. One of my biggest fears also is being stuck in an elevator.

So who gets stuck in the elevator right before her Algebra exam?? Yeah. You guessed it!

I hit the button for the second floor and the elevator went up, but it didn't feel like it went up all the way. I pressed the button to open the door and the door didn't open. Then I pressed the button for the first floor and we started going back down. The elevator stoped again but the doors didn't open. I pressed more buttons.

Then I picked up the emergency phone. The campus Public Safety officer on duty quickly picked up and stayed on the line with me until help arrived. By the time I called him, my legs were beginning to shake because I lose my equilibrium when the elevator moves.

Carol B-C has had to grab me twice at Borders because I get off the elevator and feel like I'm still going down. We figured out that I can't look down when the elevator is moving, but I forgot about that tonight. My legs were Jell-O. I slid down the wall to sit on the floor to talk to the Officer.

Help arrived in under 10 minutes. The officer on the phone was worried about my Service Dog. I laughed and told him "She's fine, but I'm shaking." To add insult to injury, the responding officer said "I hit the button and the door opened right up." I told him I hit every button on the panel (Thank GOD there are only two stories in the Schwartz Building!) and the door would not open. I also told them that the elevator went down another foot about three minutes after I called the safety office, so it was stuck. Engineering was right on Safety's heels and I explained to them what happened.

Kasey and I took the stairs to the second floor. I took that darn exam, though! I also finished both 5-point extra credit problems! All I need to get an A in the class is 75%, but I believe I did much better than that. There were no questions that stumped me, once I got settled in and stopped thinking about my harrowing experience of minutes before.

So tonight I'm packing all my school stuff! Tomorrow I hope to start on my bedroom. I also need to get some packing peanuts so that I can pack my two laptops and my desktop computer monitor. Well, one laptop. Let's be honest here. I can't live without access to a computer! Even if I can't get online, I have games I can play! Yeah, how old am I?

Anyway, Kasey is outside enjoying the frigid weather. Crazy girl! I'm going to check some email and hang out on FaceBook for a little while.

Oh, and just so you don't worry... The No Pets policy at my new apartment building does not apply to Kasey. She is a Service Dog and is protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Forbidding her is like forbidding a wheelchair, because she is a medical necessity. A Service Dog is allowed to go anywhere the general public is allowed to go, including hospitals, doctors' offices, and restaurants. Everyone at the new building loves her. She brings smiles where ever she goes.

Have to get this off my chest:

While I've gotten 100% on everything I've turned in and earned a 95 and 97.5% on the two tests I've taken, I can't stand this computer class! Not only are the professor's instructions rife with typos, but he also took three weeks for the first two chapters, so we have to cram ten more chapters into the last five weeks of class. He doesn't communicate with students about important issues. One of our discussion topics was three days late being posted and he didn't say a word, nor did he move back the due date! The inconsiderate @$$ made a lab due on Thanksgiving Day. We're expected to read three chapters, take two tests and complete a lab, PLUS take the final exam, during Finals Week. I am going to blast him in my course evaluation!

Rant over.

School is going...

GREAT! AWESOME! Better than I ever expected!

Mid-term exams are already done. It doesn't seem like the semester is 9 weeks old already. At the mid-point of both classes, I have a 4.0 GPA. Because of 100+% test grades in Algebra, my grade for the class is 102.1%.

Kasey is enjoying campus life and all the attention that she is receiving. Other than a run-in with an AA County police officer in the bookstore on the first day of the semester, we have had no issues with anyone regarding Kasey accompanying me wherever I go.

Today, October 20, the Spring Term tentative class schedule is supposed to be posted online. I'm hoping the classes I want to take are being offered. If not, it throws off my semester plan because they're prerequisites for classes I hope to take next summer and fall.

In case you're wondering, I've done very little stitching since the beginning of the semester. I have been making very slow progress on Blue Bayou by Northern Pine Designs. It is the second design in the Ebb Tide series. I will try to post pictures later. Right now I don't have my "stitching" computer up and running; I'm posting this from my "school" computer.

I have to cut this short in order to get to work on this week's Algebra assignments. I'm getting a late start today because I had to study for the third Unit Test and then go to the Campus Testing Center to take it. I didn't get home until almost 7pm.

Put in some stitches for me!

Hugs,
Beth

20 lashes with wet floss

I know it's been weeks since I updated you on what's going on around here, so here goes...

First, THANK YOU to everyone for your support and encouragement as I took the gigantic step into higher education. I'd like to let you know all the hard work (and ignoring stitching, my blog, television, Facebook, and email) is paying off! I have received grades of 93.3%, 100%, and 100% respectively on my first three math quizzes. I'm allowed to take the first test either Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday next week and I'll let you know how that goes, too.

As for happenings around here, there isn't a whole lot to tell. Daisy came for a 4-day stay last week and was much better-behaved than last time. She didn't de-squeaky-fy any of Kasey's old toys, nor did she have any accidents in the house. She was a very good girl and spent most of her time sleeping.

I have to say that my semester has a much more relaxed feel to it than it would have had with all the pressure from the English class I originally registered for. My Grammar class is nice because there are only twelve of us, and five are English teachers renewing their certifications. I really enjoy the discussions we have. That being said, I spend about twelve to sixteen hours a week on my math class. Because we only have half the class time of a typical class, the onus is on us, the students, to do alot of the work at home, online. Now I know that I will be trying to take as many classes on campus as I possibly can! Distance learning is great, in theory, but I don't think I will get as much out of it as I would attending in person. I certainly won't take more than one online/hybrid class at a time, that's for sure.

And, yes, you read correctly; you weren't hallucinating. I said I've been ignoring stitching. I haven't stitched at home since August 18th and I'm still working on Blue Bayou by Northern Pine Designs. Forgive me for not posting a picture, but I'm writing this on my school laptop and don't have Kodak Easyshare loaded on this machine. I've been trying to go to the Barnes & Noble and Borders stitching groups, but school takes first priority.

I was talking to Carol B-C tonight and told her I know I'm entirely immersed in "school mode" because I don't think about stitching. In fact, when she and I got together Saturday night at Starbucks "to stitch" I worked on my Grammar notes while she stitched on Kind, Fond Love. Okay! It's official! I'm a nerd and a dork!

In case you're not linked to me on Facebook, I'll explain the "dork" comment. My youngest brother, Ben, uses three computers at a time. I told Mom "If I ever need three computers running at once, shoot me!" I call it "Dork Mode" because Ben is our resident computer dork. He lives online, even worse than I used to. He uses his desktop computer to run the game he's (getting paid for) working on, one laptop for IRC (technical, computer dork, chat), and one laptop for AIM chat. Why he doesn't download Trillian or another program that combines all the messengers (like *I* did), I'll never know. Whenever I have both my school and "play" laptop running at the same time, I say I'm in "Dork Mode."

Kasey's been doing great on campus and is somewhat of a celebrity. I was walking through the library last week and someone passed by, looked back, and said to the person beside them, "That must be Kasey." I thought it was very funny. I'm at a complete disadvantage, though, because people can tell right away who I am but I have no idea who they are.

Speaking of Miss Celebrity, I picked up a school newspaper at the activities fair this morning. Guess whose picture (ID Card) was smack-dab at the top of Page 3 in the article on the new, plastic (formerly paper) school ID cards? Unfortunately, no one contacted me to ask the back-story to her ID, so I'm sure people are wondering why there's a dog on an AACC student ID card. I know the article was about the school's new ID cards and they probably decided that they couldn't get in trouble for showing a dog's ID card (you know all those privacy laws), but a caption saying Kasey is the first student service dog on campus at AACC would have been explanation enough.

All that aside, I'm doing well, although I still have this &*%$ catheter in my chest. The surgeon's office called me last week to tell me the graft is on order but they don't have it yet. Until then, I'm stuck with this &*%$ catheter. I hate it!

Until next time...and I'm not saying when that will be...Ya'll take care and be safe!

Love,
Beth

August 24, 2009 - First full day of classes

I had dialysis early today and was done by 2pm so I headed to the AACC campus. Here is what I did:

1st: Reading lab. Closed until September 2nd. No help with the Companion to the Gothic.

2nd: Supplemental Instruction. No ENG 121 groups. No help with the Companion to the Gothic.

3rd: Tutoring Center. No ENG 121 tutors. No help with the Companion to the Gothic.

4th: Writing Lab. Some help with the Companion to the Gothic, but wondered why I was in a class when I don't like any of the reading material. Suggested ENG 111 & 112 instead, because they're not as intense-something I need because of my health.

5th: DSS Office to ask about voice recognition software for when I have my next arm surgery

Three and a half hours

Then to Wawa for tea.
Home to make dinner.
Checked the online classroom to see if anyone had posted about this week's reading assignment. No messages. Then I checked the online tutoring. They do writing, not reading. That means I have no peer help with this book and the drop/add period ends on Friday. If I get less than a C, I lose my financial aid. What do you THINK I did??

Back to the college.

1st: Registration. Drop ENG 121, Add ENG 160-The Art & Science of Grammar

2nd: Bookstore. Returned the three Gothic literature books for a full refund. The only book required for my new Grammar class is the grammar book I already have! So now I'll be getting an additional $60 when my financial aid overpayment is sent to me!

3rd: Advising. Sat down with my AWESOME advisor, Lisa, and explained my reasons for what I did. I asked whether I could take ENG 111 & 112, which is what the professors in the writing lab suggested. Then I won't have to worry about ENG 121, Gothic Fiction. YES!! She got me the paperwork from DSS for my classroom accommodations & note-taker request form for the new ENG course.

4th: Writing Lab to thank them for their help and advice this afternoon.

5th: Testing Center to see if I need a new form for the new class.

6th: DSS/Advising because I need a new form for the new class. I'll pick that up on Thursday.

7th: 2nd floor lounge of the CALT Building to wait for tonight's session of the A&SoG class to end.

8th: Met with professor of new course to introduce myself and Kasey, get the syllabus, and cover what was done in tonight's class.

Three more hours, but it was so worth it!

THE STRESS IS GONE! No term papers, no essays!

To make things even easier, my social worker at dialysis gave me the username and password for the Wi-fi so now I can do my math work during my treatments! Most of it is watching animations and videos related to the material we're learning for that week, so it will be a huge time-saver for me!

I'm still around!

I've added a To-Do list to the sidebar of CP to give you an idea of how crazy my schedule is. As you can see, it's going to be a very busy week.

Added to that is the fact that trying to read the Companion to the Gothic still puts me to sleep! I have to read the Introduction and Chapter 1 and post a commentary and the answers to four questions to the course's virtual classroom by midnight on Sunday.

Because there were so many words I had to look up definitions for, I created a new blog called "What do you mean?" where I've written out the pronunciation and definition of the words. Some were words that we've all heard before, but instead of guessing the meanings from the text, I went ahead and looked them up so I would be sure of what the author meant by using them.

I am hoping to still be able to attend my face-to-face stitching groups, but if I have an assignment due I'll have to work on that instead. I don't want to lose my weekly stitching time at B&N, but school comes first!

Today, I cleaned up the area around my recliner, putting away all my stitching paraphernalia except my current WIP and clearing off my end table except for school supplies. I have two metal organizers to hold papers and books as well as a basket beside my chair to hold all my textbooks. Classes will be available at midnight and I plan on logging in so that I can copy my math syllabus into my organizer. Then it's off to bed because I have to be at dialysis early tomorrow and I haven't been sleeping well.

Yesterday I woke up with a sore throat but that seems to have gone away, thankfully! I know it's going to happen, so I'm just waiting for someone to go to class while they're sick and I catch it. I thought maybe someone at orientation gave me the sore throat but it must have been from the night before when I couldn't stop coughing.

I wasn't happy to miss Anna's birthday party, but I know better than to try to leave the house when I'm not feeling well.

Take care, everyone, and I will try to fill in the blanks from the past week when I have the time!

Hugs,
Beth

August 11-13, 2009 - Playing Catch-Up

Tuesday

I took a bunch of pictures of the tree contractors cutting down a tulip poplar on the property line Tuesday morning. Miss Peggy and I watched alot of it from her deck and we chatted away the early afternoon until I had to leave for the doctor's office. I don't want to bore you with all the pics here, but I did make an album on Webshots if you're interested. Unfortunately, I missed them taking the trunk down since I was gone for so long.

Uncle Wes got home Tuesday afternoon and helped me put the canvas for my next needlepoint project on the stretcher bars. I couldn't believe how fast and easy the frame went together for him! It takes me about ten minutes, and the use of a hammer, to get the stretcher bars put together; he just pushed the notches into place by hand. I'm so jealous! I told Wessy I'm having him put my frames together from now on! I decided to start Amish Trip Around the World Quilt (ATAtWQ) by Nancy Buhl of From Nancy's Needle. This is the other chart I kitted up at Fireside Stitchery in Frazer, PA.

Before I forget-again- I have to show you the birthday card Kasey received from the Cowgirl from Hanna, Christine. Call it coincidence or one of those quirks of Fate, but see all that confetti stuck to the inside of the card? I thought that was the only confetti enclosed...until a couple weeks later when I looked inside the envelope and saw all the "Happy Birthday!" confetti and balloons. Is that strange, or what? Only the dog confetti stuck to Kasey's birthday card. Thank you for thinking of my special girl on her special day, Christine! The card is adorable!

Okay, so back to this week...

Carol and I met up at Borders Tuesday night. Neither of us could make it on Monday (I was asleep) and we both needed to get out for a little while. I started ATAtWQ because it's so easy to do. I'm not sure if I'm happy with the pink in the center, though. What do you think? The substitution Nancy suggests is the skein of DMC 3688 I have next to the start. I'd have to order it in the #5 Perle.

I met with the head of Disability Services at the college on Wednesday and found out that Kasey and I are the first student/service dog team on campus. Now the pressure is on for us to set a good example! There's a faculty member who also has a service dog but no other students. The rest of the meeting went well and I received all the accommodations I requested, as my DoRS counselor had already forwarded my medical records to Mimi's office.

I will get one-and-a-half time on all timed tests and class exercises. I'll have a private room in the testing center, be able to take essay exams on a computer, and having a drink and Kasey with me at all times will not be a problem. I will also have a note-taker in Math for when I can't be in class.

We went to get my ID card made at the bookstore and I asked them if they could make one for Kasey, too. We get stopped by the guards every single time we walk through the Student Union, even though she wears a vest. The staff graciously agreed and said the faculty member with a service dog had the exact same problem.

Kasey wouldn't stand on the stool like they needed her to, but she kept jumping up on me in her excitement. I guess I've trained her too well to keep her feet off other things! I held her front feet while they zoomed the camera in on her head to get a picture. She wouldn't look at them, but the profile shot is wonderful. She even smiled! So here is Kasey's student ID card.

Wednesday was a typical dialysis day. Instead of being bored with the television channels provided, I took my new computer and my Band of Brothers DVD's and watched the first three parts of the series. I can see why BoB received so much critical acclaim. The filmmakers stayed so true to actual facts and the way things were; they didn't take artistic license to make a better story. The story itself is so gripping. I also know why my brother has watched it all the way through almost 10 times. You'd never get tired of seeing this! Talk about excellent film making! I give this 5 stars! I'm looking forward to watching the remaining parts.

When I got home on Wednesday I spent time on the computer talking to Debi and reading email. Then I realized a little after 9p.m. that I had less than three hours to eat and drink. Because of the surgery on Thursday, I couldn't have anything after midnight. I enjoyed some of the Chinese food I bought Tuesday afternoon after my doctor's appointment. The shrimp lo mien and seafood fried rice were excellent! I also loved the beef skewers, which they call Shoo Shoo. The House of Hunan at the Festival at Riva in Annapolis is the only Chinese restaurant I've been to that puts a Maraschino cherry and a pineapple chunk on the end of their skewers. They were heated just right and absolutely delicious. I'll be going back for more!

Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt thank you to everyone for their words of encouragement, support, and well-wishes. You may not realize it, but they mean the world to me and keep me going when I don't think I can go on any more. Some days are rougher than others, but I never say "I'm giving up" because I know so many of you out there are praying, encouraging, and supporting me through the hardships life throws in my path.

On Tuesday, my CRNP said something to me that really struck a chord. She said "When we set on a course, I think that God puts obstacles in our way to test our resolve." I think she's right, folks! It always seems that when I'm set on a path something happens to try to derail me. I'm not letting it this time, though! College!! Here I come!!

Thursday

As usual for a 5:30a.m. drop-off, Uncle Wes took me to the hospital on his way to work. I had one vein for them to put an IV in but they couldn't draw any blood. They tried a butterfly needle in three different spots with no luck. Needless to say, I have bruises all over my arm.

Luckily I had an anesthesiologist who knew me. I told him we couldn't put this procedure off because the stents had already been in for a year and could calcify at any time. I also told him it had to be today because school starts in ten days. He agreed that since I'd been there on Friday and my potassium doesn't get high, unlike alot of dialysis patients, they could do the surgery without up-to-the-minute blood work. I was so relieved when he agreed to go ahead! I had two procedures cancelled last year because of blood work and I didn't need that hassle again! Not to mention the fact that I felt like Dracula's wife with all the needle sticks they did today!

I have to say that the procedure must have gone well because I was in absolutely no pain when I woke up in Recovery. Even after the anesthesia started wearing off there was no pain. That bodes well for waiting another year to change the stents. If they'd been calcified or if the doctor had problems putting the new ones in, I'd be in alot more pain.

I thought I'd go right home and sleep but that wasn't to be. I was sitting in my chair, barely able to keep my eyes open, but every time I went to bed I stayed awake. Talk about frustrating! I was completely exhausted but couldn't sleep! It wasn't until after 6p.m. that I was able to finally sleep but I woke up at 8:00.

Man, was I hungry! I went in the kitchen and looked in the fridge but nothing appealed. Instead, I had some green beans and then I skewered and grilled a can of pineapple chunks. I also made mini burgers and some seasoned beef for spaghetti sauce out of a package of ground beef. I ate three of the mini burgers for a snack, along with some of the grilled pineapple. I froze the seasoned beef to use later.

Then I went to work on ATAtWQ for a few hours. I know it doesn't look bad in this picture, but the center square of this design is bright pink (DMC 602). It clashes with all of the colors around it. I'm still thinking of substituting in the 3688 or possibly something else. I have to look at my color card and see what would work in its place. This is my progress as of a little after midnight.

PS: In case you're wondering about the Trademark & Copyright notices, they're because I was once again contacted by a feed search to write a description for the "author's words" for their site. I not-so-politely this time told them they did NOT have my permission to list my blog on their site and I informed them they also do not have the right to reproduce any part of my blog on their search engine. I forwarded them the original email declining their first offer to list Crossed Purposes on their site as well.

I write this blog as a way to show my daily stitching progress; not to see how many subscribers I can gather! Thank you to all my faithful followers! I can't believe there are 75 of you! When I started Crossed Purposes, it was with the intent to show people that needlework isn't just "cranked out" en masse. I wanted to demonstrate, with pictures, the time and effort that goes into each and every work of needle art you see. In turn, I hoped people would have a better appreciation of the value of the work when they see something at a craft show or arts fair.

August 5, 2009 - I should have stayed in bed!

Yeah it was one of those days today. I'll start at the end, cuz it pretty much sums up how crappy my day was.

I came home from dialysis an hour late to find this in my livingroom floor. I know it wasn't Kasey because I've had wicker paper plate holders since she was a puppy and she's never chewed one. Daisy, however, pulverized it! There were a few paper plates that looked the worse for wear.

Notice the pill bottle? Yeah, she got my bottle of painkillers off the end table beside my chair (she'd have to get IN the chair to reach them) and had them spread out on the floor. Luckily she was only interested in the bottle, as evidenced by the teeth marks in it and the lid (and the fact that she was still standing). All the pills were accounted for, thank Goodness! I picked them up as soon as I saw them, then thought of taking a picture of the carnage. To top everything off, I've found two places where she peed. I still am not a happy camper about that!

I should have known something was up when Daisy let me sleep til 10am. Here I was, thinking she was okay...I should have known better. I'll be setting my alarm to make sure I'm up before 9am to take her out for a walk. Wes said he walked both girls about two hours before I got home so she should have been fine.

Doesn't she look like a little angel laying there while Kasey sleeps? She's a cutie and has a great temperment, but she still acts like a puppy.

Okay, that was the end of my day. Remember I said I got home from dialysis an hour late? That was because with twenty minutes of my treatment left to go, I was bleeding around my arterial needle! I thought I was imagining feeling something cold and wet on my arm and then pulled it up from under the blankes to see the tape was soaked. Luckily it had already coagulated and wasn't flowing fast, but it's not supposed to do that!

It took almost 90 minutes for the lower site to stop bleeding. My hand finally gave out after about an hour and one of the techs put a clamp on the site to keep pressure on the gauze. I should have been home before 6:15 and it was 7:15 when I pulled in the driveway. My arm feels like someone has used it as a punching bag. So that was my crappy day.

I tried reading the Companion to the Three Gothic Novels again and consequently had a great nap during my treatment...again.

I also started a new habit. Instead of just glossing over words I'm not exactly sure of the meanings for, I started underlining them in pencil and went back later to look up the definitions. I have a notebook I wrote the definitions in, and I highlighted the words in the dictionary.

Just to give you a taste, here are some of the words I underlined. I also jotted in the margins what I thought the words meant by using the context in which they were used. I was close on some. Can you guess the meanings, without looking them up first? I've taken phrases from the book in which the words appear.

may be attempting an analogous act

while no less ceaselessly misread, models of meconnaissance

some of the concatenations of history

I have deliberately elided issues

now become the leitmotif of critical theory.

The complacent Genevese oligarchs

I guess now you can see why it puts me to sleep? BTW, most of these words were contained in the Introduction! I am sooooo screwed! LOL

Maybe I should just make a blog of the words I underline...hmmm... It's certainly easier than pulling out pen and paper, since my computer is on almost the entire time I'm awake.

The one bright spot in the day was that I now know how much financial aid I have been awarded this semester! I might not have the letter in hand, but it's in my financial aid info on the college's website. The one glitch was that it was still showing I owed more than $600 in tuition. I submitted my tuition waiver on July 17 so I called the Cashier's office to ask what was going on. They are checking into it and will fix it for me.

After my books and fees are paid with my grant money, the remainder will be sent to me in the form of a check. I'll have enough to get a laptop to use solely for school! The laptop I have weighs almost 7lbs and burns my lap. The one I'd like to purchase weighs 5.7 lbs and has extra insulation in the bottom to prevent the over-heating of the chassis.

August 3, 2009 - A trip to the bookstore

I worked on Hin-zeit's Amer-ica after mid-night and contin-ued until I went to sleep.

I'm still running around like a chicken with its head cut off! I have a doc's appointment tomorrow to check the MRSA rash on my abdomen and still have to make an appt to have the suture, from last week's procedure, removed.

I received an email from the school's financial aid office telling me that they have completed the processing of my information and I will be receiving my financial aid package in the mail. They also emailed to let me know I had a Bookstore Advance of $400 to purchase my books and supplies, so Kasey and I headed over first thing this morning.

I wound up having to buy more new books that I'd planned, but it worked out because the digital copies I was going to buy separately were included with the new books. I also purchased a canvas tote with purple accents, including a very pretty machine-embroidered motif on the front pocket.

One of the bookstore employees carried the books out to the truck for me because they were so heavy. There was no way I could navigate with Kasey and two bags of books in my left hand. She won't walk on my right side (she's trained too well) and the suture pulls if I lift anything heavier than a couple pounds. The math text- and workbooks together weigh about 10 lbs (and I am not exaggerating!).

I went back inside and pur-chased some sup-plies, includ-ing a clear, PUR-PLE!, clip-board. Since I'm left-handed, it's hard for me to write in spiral notebooks or a 3-ring binder. I bought an expandable file with 5 removable plastic folders so that I can place my week's work in there for easier transportation (I have a feeling I'll be doing alot of homework during dialysis treatments). I rounded out my purchases with some filler paper, a pocket dictionary, Webster's College Dictionary (being an English major, they'll come in handy!), a mouse pad that I can write on (it's sheets of graph paper) and a white-out pen. I had previously bought an organizer, which I showed you a few Saturdays ago.

Oh! Did you notice the purple gingham ribbons in the books? Those are my new bookmarks. I took the remainder of the spool of ribbon from Kasey's birthday bow and cut it into appropriate lengths for my textbooks. I was getting frustrated trying to find the Mary Shelley section of the Companion, so I had to do something! And you know when I do "something" it's usually purple!

Back to that math book...it came with SEVEN CD-ROM's! There are four lecture CD's, one for test preparation; one for the graphing calculator; and another for the computer interface, MyMathLab, that the math professors use. I have alot of preparation to do before classes start!

My English course, Composition & Literature, concentrates on Gothic novels. I don't read things like that because I do not find enjoyment in being scared or grossed out. I don't even watch shows that scare me. When my Pop-pop would watch The Incredible Hulk, I would hide behind his recliner, sit on the floor, and plug my ears so that I couldn't hear the Hulk roaring; that's how wimpy I am about scary shows. I watched The Mummy from behind a pillow behind my b/f's shoulder the first time I saw it. It's a favorite now but the first time through I screamed a few times (those bugs!). I am not looking forward to the course, unless the instructor is really good (but that's gonna be alot to ask because the course is 100% online). I am determined to get through it, however.

I went back to bed after eating something for lunch because I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I had about two-and-a-half hours before my treatment time and they passed in theblink of an eye.

I took the Three Gothic Novels and the Companion volumes to dialysis so that I could begin reading. I started with the Companion book, reading the introduction and then moving on to the section pertaining to Mary Shelley. One of the three novels in the compilation book is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, so I thought I'd read what the Companion had to say about her. Which put me right to sleep!

I need to read these before the class begins, though, because I know it will make it easier when I re-read them for the class itself. Having never read anything of the genre, I know it is going to take more than one time for things to sink in and realize the nuances of the writing. I'm just not looking forward to it. Did I already mention that?

I had a nice nap during the last half of my treatment. I definitely needed it because I only slept for five hours before the girls woke me up this morning to go outside. It's sorta funny because Kasey comes in to wake me up when Daisy starts pacing around the livingroom. I've noticed this is her signal to go outside, but apparently Kasey knows it as well.

Daisy sleeps on my bed with me while Kasey sleeps on the bath- or bedroom floor. Even though there's another dog in the house, it's too warm for her to sleep in bed; she much prefers the cool tile or wood flooring. She gets up when I first get in bed because she knows that's our cuddle time, but as soon as I stop petting her she moves to the foot of the bed for about ten minutes and then ultimately gets down to sleep on the floor. Daisy, on the other hand, sleeps right beside my knees.

Daisy is winning the war with the squeakers in Kasey's old toys. I rescued another one tonight from the clutches of her jaws. I wasn't going to give her a chance to remove the little whistle from the plastic bubble. I found three of them separated from their bubbles last week. They could do some damage if she were to swallow one. She was not pleased with me, but I'd rather that than a visit to the emergency vet! So the score is now Daisy: 4; Squeakers: 0, with me intervening on behalf of the last one. He went into the trash with his whistle (and dignity? Do inanimate objects have "dignity?") still intact.

That was my day, with some writing of email and blog posts thrown in. Have a great week!