Saturday, July 30, 2011

A coupla cards

Here are a couple more cards from my "retreat" (sorry about the pics, my camera skills seem to have temporarily left me).




I was asked how I managed to make so many cards (over 250) while I was away and the simple answer is I was organised. After each of my operations while I was recouping at home, I was too sore & tired to be creative, so I made up little card kits by putting together card, paper & embellishments into individual bags along with an envelope so that when the mood struck I was able to just pick up a kit, make a card and seal it with the envelope into the clear cellophane bag ready to sell later. I ran out of envelopes, so yesterday restocked and sealed up those that were missing envelopes and added others to kits I still have waiting to make.

I hope this inspires you to make the most of what you have and be creative whenever you can.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Distracted by shiny things

I have a weakness for bling and so nothing really brings more of a smile to my face than a blingy card and lucky me received one today in the mail from a dear friend.....isn't is pretty.


I also love what came with it - yummy jaffa biscuits, though I will have to wait to have them as one of the side effects of the treatment was a loss of taste - everything tastes like soap - yuk.
On the plus side, my voice is returning so things are looking up.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Winged Things

I admit it - I have a "thing' about butterflies and dragonflies and winged things in general and because of this a lot of my cards end up with flying critters on them....here are a few of those that were made while on "retreat".





The cards I made while away are quite simple, but I hope you like them anyway.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Lists

I am a huge fan of lists and organisation and as I slide on into middle age my memory sometimes fails me - it couldn't possibly have anything to do with all the stuff I have to keep track of.

I have been asked what I read & watched while on "retreat" (that's what I'm calling it now) and I thought I would document them and perhaps give a bit of an insight into my eclectic tastes:

DVDs watched:
The Big Bang Theory - seasons 1-3 - thanks Barry for the loaner
Psych seasons 3-4
The Closer - seasons 4-5 - my birthday present from hubby
and movies in no particular order..
Eat Pray Love
The Reader
The Blind Side
Love Happens
The Social Network
ps I Love You
he's just not that into you
Coyote Ugly
Julie & Julia
Addicted to Love
Nine Months
The Object of my Affection
Closer
Amy Fisher
Tin Cup...these all courtesy of Jo

Made of Honour
Dead Like Me seasons 1-3

Books Read:
Murder at Mansfield Park - Lynn Shepherd
What's So Funny - Donald Westlake
Daughter of  Dust - Wendy Wallace
Tied to the Track - Sara Donati
The Dante Trap - Arnaud Delalande
Grave Secrets - Kathy Reichs
Goodbye Jimmy Choo - Annie Sanders
The girl who kicked the hornets nest - Steig Larsson (the other two books in the trilogy were read after each stay in hospital- thanks again Jo)

Cards made - over 250 - photos of some to follow.

and that dear readers is how I kept myself busy for 2 weeks.


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Will you glow in the dark Mum?

...this is the most pressing question from my 13 year old and I suppose to answer it so it makes sense to you, I need to give some background as to what's been going on this year.

Early this year I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, basically hypothyroidism, which meant that my thyroid wasn't working as it should. Then found out that the nodules on my thyroid were cancerous, so now I have papillary cancer. Still not so bad - in the grand scheme of things is one of the "better" cancers to get if you have to. I know people who have had worse to deal with, so am grateful that I have gotten over my previous dramas and know that I will get through this one too.

Had surgery in March to remove right lobe of thyroid plus parathyroid gland and lymph node - yep the little sucker had spread - actually not so little - was basically the same size as the lobe itself. Then had second surgery in May to remove left lobe, that went well, but I was left with my left vocal chord being paralysed....still not so bad, could still talk, just not loudly and I may yet get it back.

Radioactive Iodine ablation scheduled for August as the drug I had to take prior was out of stock in Australia, but was put on back order...then it was in and so rescheduling of appointments was madly taking place...resulting in me going into RNS 2 weeks ago and swallowing a radioactive capsule to kill off any thyroid tissue still left in my body.

Just glad I have a sense of humour and am happy with my own company as I spent 3 days in a lead lined room in isolation..had a great view though and a comfy chair, so books read and DVDs watched...staff great, although it was amusing watching them break speed records to get in & out of my room in under 4 mins. Last day had full body scan and was released. I then spent the next 10 days on the Central Coast by myself - reading, watching DVDs and making lots and lots and lots of cards.

I am back home and in answer to her question - no I do not glow in the dark, no I do not have superpowers (other than those I had previously as a supermum) and yes I did miss everyone very much and am glad to be getting back to normal.

This has been a very trying year for lots of people I know and there has been a great deal of sadness and loss, so I am lucky that I can sit here and type this and know that my family is in the next room and that they are happy and loved and safe and hopefully this is where things start to get better. Back to the juggling act....

photo ellemoss etsyshop

Wednesday, July 6, 2011