my first finishes of the year

 Pattern by Lizzie kate

I have done the snowman in the past

and really missed his smile.  I could not

find the same finishing fabric as before.  It

was done in pink.  It amazes me how a finish

on a stitched piece changes  the look.

Multi layered finish.  He is jolly.  He

hangs above my computer with others

to make me smile each day.

 This pattern also by Lizzie kate.

  I hope everyone is off to a great new year.

I am a huge snoopy fan and I declare this will

be my best year.  

Happy stitching everyone.

A new year and a birthday

 A great gift from Carol at stitching dreams.

The bunny sits on my dresser.

beautiful stitching accessories.

Thank you Carol,  yoor gifts always make 

me smile.

   my first flour less chocolate cake.

it was so good.  I haven't had sugar since

August.  A much needed treat.

 My sister , my brother in law John and my

nephew spoiled me.  Along with so many family

members and friends who went out of their

way to make me feel special.

I am a huge snoopy fan.  This year was a banner year.

The snoopy movie did wonders for snoopy merchandise.

I spent  my birthday shopping.   Bargains to my delight.

2 pairs of jeans and 8 shirts for under 100 dollars.

I usually shop on new years day.  A perfect way to spend

my birthday and start the new year. 

Happy New Year

 As I reflect on the past year, my 50th, I

am thankful to be here.  It really was the best

and worst year rolled into one.  January 2015 I was

in NYC, and saw my two daughters and best

friends.  Had a work celebration with my son

Chris in Fla,   and a great summer vacation with my

nephew Ryan in Myrtle Beach.   I will focus

on the good and not the health challenges  from

mold.  The outreach from people around the world

from the stitching community is something I will

never forget.  Although I am not where I want

to be,  I am thankful I am not where I was in

September.  My happiest moment of the year

was seeing the Lion King in Manhattan with my

two best friends.  A great 50th celebration.

 I was blessed with receiving a whole box

of stash from my friend Peggy who

passed away in the fall.  I finished the 4th house.

This piece started by Peggy  will be finished

by me.   I am sure she is smiling from heaven.

 My 50th year.

A new year and a new beginning.

May everyone have a blessed new year.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all.

My sister Carol's Christmas tree.  it's nice

to see some of the ornaments I made from years past.

for her on  her tree.

My children on thanksgiving day.  They are

all out on their own.  Miss you all.

Thank you to everyone who reached out

to me during the year.  So many touched

my heart around the world.

thank you Jesus for dying for all of us.

Amen.

A Christmas exchange

 This ornament was made for Carol at Stitchingdreams.

The pattern is by lizzie kate.

 From Carol I received this beautiful ornament.

the snowmen are adorable.

included were some extra goodies.

Thank you Carol.

I hope everyone has a blessed and Merry Christmas

Christmas delights

From prairie schooler 

stitched for Mr. Johnny 

to give it a masculine look, I chose black to

highlight the piece.

From Lisa v.  thank you  lisa. 

 BUCKHORNINN.COM 

I HAD A 2 DAY GETAWAY IN GATLINBURG,  TN

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL. 

It is the first time I have really  done any traveling

since my illness in august.  progress is coming along.

my awesome Christmas cactus.

Merry Christmas to everyone 

some great gifts and a finish

This is a lizzie kate pattern that was sent
to me.  Perfect words I need to see everyday.  I framed this myself and it sits on my dresser.  The threads that were used are from Victorian motto that were sent in a gift box.  I really like the colors.

I received a Christmas exchange from Lee.

In a beautiful gift box was a amazing 

ornament.  Each side of the ornament is so

pretty.  It really makes you smile.  Thank you lee.

From Justine came a package of stitching goodies

and the awesome pin keep.  Thank you.

I have received so many great stitching gifts

from around the world.  Some packages I couldn't 

Read the return address and I could not send a thank

you note.    I assure you each package made me smile. 

Recovery takes time and each day is a blessing.

so thankful for everything.

Some cross stitch ornaments

From April in the Shenandoah valley

what a beautiful ornament.  She also sent

A bunch of goodies.


Thank you April

 These two ornaments were sent overseas to my

stitching friends.  With the holiday mail being slow

I sent  them early and both have received them.

The first is blackbird designs done in

different colors.  The second lizzie kate.

Thank you everyone for your generous gifts and

prayers.  I really appreciate everything.

I am on my way to healing and getting back to

a routine.  By God's grace I will be better 

then before.  By Jesus stripes I am healed.

Stitchers are truly givers

Can you see the love?  I received all of the cross

stitch items from Stitchers around the world.

Stitchers are truly amazing people.  There are no words

to describe the joy and smiles I experienced opening

Each package .  It was like it was Christmas.  So

Many beautiful charts, linens, floss etc.  I could not 

fit everything into the pictures.  I had tears of joy.

Kindness of others I will carry with me and never

be forgotten.  There was a package from Elaine in the UK,  no

return address.  I could not send a thank you.   I hope

you see this post.  I adored everything.  Andrea from the

craft store stitched a Christmas ornament.  It is

gorgeous and hanging on my wall above my

work computer .  I look at it all day.

thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

To my friend carol at stitching dreams.  Thank you 

for your post and putting this on your blog.  A true

giver you are.  Your thoughtfulness is priceless.

To my sister carol and her family, there are no words

To let you know how grateful I am for taking me in.

how blessed I am.

I still have some brain fog, hoping this to will get better.

GOD IS GOOD. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING.

Tons of charts , linens, ribbon, cording.

the ornament Andrea made

Back to stitching

One of my first finishes since I am recovering. 

A prairie schooler pattern.

So good to be back stitching and getting settled

into my new life.

I wanted to thank everyone for their generous

Thoughts, prayers, and gifts.  Stitchers are the

kindest and most giving people.

My health is getting  better each have day.  I went back

to work yesterday.   It is good to be back in a routine.

A special  blessing sent to my friend Peggy who went

home to heaven a couple of days ago.  I will miss you

my friend.  Until we meet again.

In an instant your life changes - Black mold and how deadly it can be

I have be gone for a while.  I moved into my new

apartment 5-23-15.  Love the location, view, etc.

My first ER visit was on 7-23-15.  I have never

called an ambulance in my life.  I started having

a hard time breathing and my throat was closing

up.  The ER said probably allergies.  My friends

prompted me to check my HVAC system.  When

I opened the door it was covered in black mold.

I had no idea how dangerous this could be.  I went

to the office and maintenance came and put new

filter and cleaned up.  NextR visit was 9-5-15.

I was so weak, dizzy, felt like someone was stabbing

my head with an ice pick.  My left foot had pain.  My

left ear has been clogged since 7-23-15 with ringing.

The did a CAT scan,nothing.  One of my friends

said it had to be the apartment I am never sick and

I do not go to the ER ever.  I checked the hepa

filter I bought less then a month ago.  I decided to

check the HVAC unit.  The filter was black with

mold and it was less then 30 days in the system.

I bought a standing air filter for my office

delivered 8-18-15 and checked that filter.  Once

again,black.  No wonder I was so sick.  I left

the apartment 9-5-15 and have never returned.

I tried to get the air tested, the complex refused

to let me test the air.  My brother in law has a

special camera,  all of the air ducts were filled

with black mold.  No wonder I was so sick.  I

worked from home, so I was there a good 19-20

hours a day.  I never understood how dangerous

black mold can be.  Doctors are clueless on how

to treat it.  Took me 4 doctors and I finally found

one due to speaking to a woman who almost

died from the mold herself. If I had stayed there , no question I

would not have survived.  Black mold spores

cannot be seen.  I lost all of my belongings. 

If you bring your things to a new location,

the spores can grow in your new environment.

I lost every cross stitch piece I ever made.

Leaving my grandparents furniture behind

was heart breaking.    I am living with my

sister.  I have been out of work pretty much

the whole month of September.  I am once

again starting over.  I am so thankful for

my friends and family.  Things really do

not matter.  I am trying to find my way

back and recover my health.  It will take

time but I know I will be fine.

For information on mold please visit these sites.  It saved

my life to know I wasn't alone.    And some great

resources.  The medical community does not test for

mold unless asked.  It causes more things to your body

then you can imagine.  If you have an unexplained

illness maybe mold is the cause.  I am thankful for

the resources I found.  I was only in my apartment

for three months.  It shows how it can really work

fast on your body.  If I help just one person,  this is

worth my time. 

survivingtoxicmold.com

survivingmold.com

paradigmchange.me/survived/

toxix-black-mold-syndrome.com

There are a lot of sites.

Books I have read:

Suzanne Somers book Tox-Sick  covers many things. 

Her and her husband almost died from black mold.

The covers many toxins and what the medical

community does not want us to know.  I highly

recommend this book

Mold  The War withing By Kurt & Lee Billings

What this couple endured from black mold.

There are a ton of stories you can read online.

The internet truly helped me, without it I

wouldn't be on my way recovery.

I have no stitching supplies, no patterns.

Eventually I will get back to stitching

Recovery is my goal at this time.

I know a lot of praying people out there,

they would be greatly appreciated.

Please do not feel sorry for me,  I am one of

the lucky ones.  Each year 500K people die

to mold related illnesses,most do not get the

proper treatment.  Antibiotics and steroids

are the worst thing you can take, it makes

the mold in your body grow more.  The two

books really gave me some good guidance.

Happy stitching my friends.