Tuesday, June 7, 2016

on hold

Life is still 'on hold' at the moment, while I take each day as it comes in the early stages of recovering from health issues stemming from a few months ago. Here are a few things I've been dabbling in...

Studying

I've enrolled in the Endo Wellness Technique. The program "helps strong and determined women manage their Endometriosis successfully by using a holistic approach without hormone treatments or surgery."

I'm only in week 3 and it's already a game changer for me. I am learning so much about what Endometriosis really is. I can see that the last 20 years of painful period and allergy sensitivities are all connected to my new diagnosis. Although I have lots of related respiratory problems at the moment (and this only adds to my anxiety) I am hopeful that in a few months time I will feel much stronger mentally and physically. In a year's time even empowered (!) and I'd like to be a source of help to others. I just have to keep the faith right now.

Check out Melissa Turner's Endo Empowered Program here. If you want to know more about the program subscribe to her emails. There's lots of free information on her blog too. I do urge anyone who suffers with Endometriosis and hormonal issues to check this program out. I believe it can be life changing.

Needlework
Another Dropcloth Sampler from Rebecca Ringquist. We had a little chat on her etsy messages and I was telling her how much I love Portland (where she lives) and the show Portlandia. She replied that just the other day she saw Fred Armisen whilst shopping. I was really chuffed!

Rebecca has an etsy shop where you can find all her fabulous samplers which incidentally has taken off since she first sold them at a Squam Retreat. You can listen to her thoughtful and creative journey on this podcast.

 Journaling




Prompted by Sophie's Journal Your Heart Out hashtag on Instagram, I took the plunge in to journaling. The words did not come easily at first; however I enjoyed the simple act of cutting and glueing and writing my aspirations, gratitudes and reflections. Now the words come much more easily and I thoroughly enjoy this quiet and soulful time. Sophie guides you with journal writing prompts and collage inspiration on her blog.

Making

A cardigan first cast on in (ahem) 2014. Knitted 95% percent of it and then stored in a basket for a very long time. The button band just needs to be finished however I seem to have made my own adjustments and have no idea what my little scribbles in lead pencil mean on the pattern.

Knitted in Harvest wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills. Unfortunately this yarn was a limited edition and no longer available. It's a shame because this 10 ply blend of wool, alpaca and bamboo is perfect for our snowy winters. Also the tweed is so striking.

Watching
I can't regularly find the fiction books I want at our small regional library so I usually have a long wait from inter-library loans. In the mean time, The Edwardian Farm on youtube has been some cheerful watching during my down time.

Joining in with all the crafty folks at Keep Calm Craft On and Yarn Along.

What have you been making, watching, reading?

Zena xx

20 comments:

  1. Oh I do like your rainbow wheel - it's so pretty and what a lovely way to make a sampler!

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    1. I'm addicted to Rebecca's samplers, bright colours are encouraged.

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  2. I love your cardigan. Pretty colour. Also love what you are watching, some of my favourite shows.

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    1. I can't wait to wear my cardi. They yarn is heavenly. I find it so interesting and comforting watching period shows.

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  3. Zena, good on you for getting that far with your cardigan. I have never knitted one. Bendigo Woolen Mills yarn is so soft..I love it. Hope you keep feeling better.

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    1. Bendigo Mills are my go to yarn. Getting there Chel.

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  4. I have been dealing with hormonal issues for most of my life, and more recently have had some different, serious, issues come up in the past two years. I've also been dealing with allergies and eczema that appeared violently last year, so what you are saying about your health is interesting to me.

    Also, I am now going to watch some of those farm series.

    Don't feel bad about starting a sweater in 2014 and only finishing it now. I finished a sweater that I started around 2004 or 2005 this past January. I was just happy I could wear it. :)

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    1. I use to deal with eczema too. I kept making lifestyle changes over a 20 year period but now I know those singular events are all connected. Love English history. Oh wow that's fantastic you still liked what you made all that time ago.

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  5. Pleased to hear that you are on a positive path to recovery dear Zena. Gosh, most of us take our good health for granted and, once again, I'm reminded to be be grateful. That cardigan, oh wow, what a gorgeous colour! I'd love to watch this series but we don't have wifi here so I wonder if it would be available on DVD at our local library. Writing a note to myself to inquire next time I'm at the library. It looks just wonderful. Thanks for sharing. X

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    1. Good health is everything. Look out for The Victorian Farm too.

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  6. I hope your health improves, and as you wait for it to those things all sound lovely. I love journalling like that. I still do, but in a smaller notebook that travels with me when I am actually travelling. That wool from Bendigo Woolen Mills looks lovely. I am taking a trip to Nundle next month and have patterns stashed for which I want to buy wool.

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    1. I had a travel diary when we ventured through England and Wales. It was such a great way to remember details that I would otherwise forgotten. I've always wanted to go to Nundle to visit the Odgers and McClelland store. Have a great time!

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  7. Thanks for the endo link Zena, I've just had a quick peek and already there's been an ah ha moment...off to read more. Keep well beautiful lady. xx

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    1. It's been the missing link for me and I'm sure a lot of women can relate especially in today's very complex world.

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  8. I love your journaling. I have a bunch of old magazines (mostly home and gardening mags) that I need to recycle, but there are some really good articles and ideas and inspirational things in them that I hate to through out. This might be a good way to organize those things. :)

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    1. This is a fantastic way to preserve the best pictures and articles from our favourite magazines.

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  9. Hi Zena, I'm sorry to learn that you have been diagnosed with endometriosis and have also dealt with eczema and outset issues. So interesting to read similar anecdotes. I have endometriosis, adenomyosis and also have grappled with asthma and eczema and other auto immune issues. Diet and exercise make a huge difference so I want to encourage you to keep on your path of positive changes. :-)

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    1. Ple excuse my autocorrect: 'outset' above should be 'other'!

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    2. Ple excuse my autocorrect: 'outset' above should be 'other'!

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    3. You have been hit with it all haven't you dearest Jodie. I have other issues yet to be diagnosed. It's been a long road and when I meet people like you have so much to cope with but still manage to have a life it's a great inspiration. I've just popped back from your blog as you can tell.

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