A sad day .....

Today we had to say goodbye to our little Jack Russell "Patch" - she's battled liver disease since she was 18 months old but had really deteriorated over the past 2 weeks. She had 2 sleepovers at the vets this week Mon & Tues with IV fluids and an ultrasound on Tues that showed she had such a tiny liver she couldn't metabolise the toxins in her blood stream. The IV fluids made her "better" but there's no quality of life staying on them forever (plus the cost); so we made the decision on Wednesday to bring her home and give her some quality of life - we were hoping for more than 24 hours but it wasn't meant to be. She was just adorable on Thursday; "helping" to bring the logs in and to garden but a poorly little dog on Friday - not eating at all and hardly drinking. We knew "our" vet would be available today so I made an appointment and we took her in first thing this morning and had her put to sleep......

It was easier for me than when we had Holly put to sleep because I wasn't on my own, I had DH with me for support plus because she was such a little dog we got to hold her while she was given the medication. We also got to bring her home wrapped in a blanket. We put her into her bed and then left her on our bed for a while while we all got to say goodbye and then we buried her in the chook pen next to Holly.
She definitely had "small dog syndrome" and just loved the sun or sitting in front of the fire and "toasting" - we only had her for 8.5 years but she was truly loved and a very dear part of our family. 

I'm writing this with a heavy heart and a gap next to me - if she wasn't in front of the fire she sat in my chair with me......
Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

No more sleeps - Christmas in July is here ........

Happy Christmas in July Day - opening day for Cheryll's Christmas In July Swap and wow was I spoilt. My "elf" was Anthea from Hibiscus-Stitches; she made me the most gorgeous of gifts - 

"S" was a bag full of goodies made with the most divine Santa retro fabric

"A" a wall hanging from "The Birdhouse" called Christmas Angels

and finally "T" - tree fabric used to create a table runner inspired by "Lorraine's Flowers" by Designs by Fee

All are just perfect. Thank you so much Anthea and to Cheryll for organising this. Hope you all received amazing gifts too - Cheryll's having a "link up" tomorrow so we can all "share" our gifts.

Hugz

Melanie
xxx 

There is light ....

As you know I've been struggling with anxiety and depression for a while now; I started a different medication in May and I think it's starting to have a positive effect now the dose has been increased. My anxiety isn't as bad - it's always there but bearable the majority of the time I liken it to having a knot in the centre of my chest, most of the time it's just there and grey but as the anxiety increases so does the size of the knot and it's colour to a very vibrant red....

I've given it a name "Miss Knotty" the idea is by being familiar with it and accepting that it won't get the better of me; early days yet so I don't know if the naming is working.

I have had a "good" day in the last few weeks, I don't know what made it good I was just aware of a feeling that I really haven't felt for such a long time and it's given me hope that I am on the way to recovery.

I still haven't had a report from either psychiatrist (both appointments were over a month ago). The first one I saw recommended a change to the medications I take for sleep by adding in a second tablet. One of it's effects was to lower blood pressure so I had to stop my usual blood pressure tablet but the new tablets made me have vivid dreams and I was constantly tired, I never felt refreshed when I got up (I even took to nanna naps some afternoons) so I'm back on just my original sleeper and blood pressure tablets. I still wake often through the night but when I do get up I feel refreshed.

I don't know what the plan is for return to work, my GP still doesn't think I'm well enough to go back; she thinks my sleep pattern is an indication for how I'm travelling but I feel like I'm getting nearer to that point which is a huge step forward for me. I still don't feel I could cope with direct patient care or returning to my previous role but I'm sure there is something out there that I'll be able to do - when I've improved a bit more.

It feels so good to write something positive...

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Happy mail ....

I'm joining in Cheryll's Christmas in July Swap; we all had to post our parcels by 15th July and mine arrived today :) Three presents and three envelopes. As this is a secret swap my elf gave no clues other than it came from Western Australia???

I had instructions on one envelope to open straight away so of course I did. 

A gorgeous card with roses on and a little book full of inspirational quotes - one that really caught me eye is "It is possible to move a mountain by carrying away small stones" - one I should adopt I think. Friday is the day of opening (only 3 more sleeps).



Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

A success for FNSI ................

These are what I started at FNSI and finished today. Our Scout Group is opening a new section in a local town (on Tuesday) so new scarves were needed for any new cubs (they wear a white scarf until they are invested at 4 weeks). I was volunteered to make them; well as you know I have a love hate relationship with my overlocker but I decided it would be easier to make them using it than to faff about with the sewing machine having to fold seams etc. I've never done rolled hems before but I thought what the heck and ........ they worked all 14 of them. 

They're not the best scarves in the world but I'm really pleased with them - DD2 did the modelling; she's a scout so they were a bit small for her LOL..

There were 57 of us all working away - go have a look what everyone else got up to here; there's some awesome crafter's out there...
Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Donations, Swaps & Melbourne ........

A busy week here. I fought with the overlocker and I won - yippeee. I made some 6 pairs of nursing pads once I'd managed to change the colour (4 days it took but whose counting!!). They are being donated to Dream a little Dream via Debbie at Sweet Little Cottage; please look and check out what they desperately need - every little bit helps these premmies.

I finished my blocks for the Christmas Quilting Block Swap and the Quilting Block Swap Australia. Both my partners asked for stars in traditional Christmas colours/red & gold - so these are what I made (both have a Christmas theme as the only gold fabric I could find was "Christmassy").

I went to Melbourne last week with DD1 to see Les Miserables. It was absolutely fantastic. Having never been to Melbourne before it was a bit of a culture shock - so big, so many shops and so busy (we thought Adelaide was big and busy). DD1 has certainly inherited my lack of direction - don't know how many times we got lost and that was with a map!! It was really good to get away but it was so good to get back to my own bed and the peace and quiet of country life.

Hugz
Melanie
xxx