... or rather unwell. In midst of everything I managed to find sinusitis and otitis (in both ears!) and then I was lucky enough to find out that I was allergic to that antibiotic I was given for them... which means that now I am even bigger statistic oddity: allergic to three different antibiotics.

Yes, it's difficult to be this good, but I try to live up to my reputation.

I am getting better slowly, and hope that I am actually better by Tuesday when I am supposed to go to work again.

I had my bestest (yup *grin*) gift when Mr. Wonderful wished me good birthday when I woke up. Having him here is the best gift I can possible have today - due our financial situation no huge gifts, but he gave me the sweetest card (which I have placed on top of the TV).

30 years old (I almost wrote 30 years odd...)

Oh mi gosh, etc.. I don't feel like thirty at all, but I have already noticed all the things coming from getting older: I got an invitation for the official PAP smear today... oh well, at least it's good for me. In addition to that I have to book an appointment to our nurse because I have been sick so many times between January - March. It has to be an one hour appointment, and for what? We just come to conclusion that asthma, customer service job and flu season are not a good combination.
But that is what my employer wants me to do so there I go.

And in addition to that there is another health check coming within next two months. Groovy. And I know that this time there is this "and how about your weight then?" conversation... though, I can tell them that I have lost whopping 12,5 kilos since March without any dieting and that we shouldn't meddle with what seems to going well.
Though... they could check my thyroid levels, just for future reference as it seems that our mother has hypothyroidism despite her levels being within so called normal levels. I just can't help, but wondering did I really have point with my suspicion of having hypothyroidism when I was prescribed antidepressants...

Well, what is my weight loss secret? I am not quite sure, but I guess that the combination of Mr. Wonderful and Nigerian food is the thing - that yummy okra soup he makes every now and then may be big contributor in this. (This is interesting.)
One thing I am sure of: I am not complaining.

Her Highness

Thank you for your condolences.
She was put to sleep after, this is what the vet thought, her kidneys had failed. Poor dear couldn't control her bowel or bladder any more so it was just gentle to let her go.
My mother took her with her and buried Her Highness somewhere in her cabin's garden.

In general: odd changes

I have noticed extremely odd change in me lately: I like to shop and I am actually looking forward to buy *GASP* more *GASP* feminine clothes (what, aren't jeans and T-shirt feminine enough?! I am getting scary!) in future - and I have started to wear *GASP* earrings.
What boggles me almost as much is that I have this odd mania for turquoise stones (or glass pieces, whatever) - in general I have a thing for turquoise which I can't explain...
I have even grown my hair longer because He asked to (and it's not dark anymore, more like dark, bright red).

Should I be worried or should I just come to conclusion that I am in love?

Yes, indeed! Stitchy content! o.O

From the backside as it's one of my unpublished designs... This is about two nights' worth, though I have been doing stuff in between of stitching so that explains why there isn't more - but it's progressing nicely and I think I may actually get it done on time.

Still here, still alive, still EXTREMELY busy, still marr... erm, common law wife (well, I do consider myself more than "just" a common law wife... actually have considered myself much more than "just" a girlfriend for ages (see this) - though I noticed that I have evolved from girlfriend to my woman lately - which is rather cute).

I have been on summer leave for two days and am slowly starting to feel like an alive human being again in means of energy levels, though I suspect that I recuperate wholy just before I have to go back to work (which is in Friday) - but such is life.

In general nothing much has been happening: asthma is behaving as are my allergies, gallbladder isn't (and I should make an appointment for an ultra sound to confirm gallstones).
Actually what is extremely interesting is that I have lost 10 kilos since He came to Finland without any dieting and that I can nowadays tolerate tea and certain types of aroma enhancers (not MSG though).

Stitching... well, I could ask what it is, though I have one project waiting for me to stitch it, though with this pace I won't get it done in time... well, there's always rest of my life.

Anyway, still here and waiting to win in lottery. (Which reminds me, we have to check our coupon... *grin*)

Brother visited us day before yesterday and it seems that Her Highness is enjoying her life in there - after some time wondering where her boys are, so everything is good.

Yesterday was the seven week goal post and everything is still going swell between Him and me, and that makes me happy.
I haven't been on sick leave in six weeks, I have been able to drop my sertraline dose back to 50 mg (I had to up it because all the illnesses I had during winter), only allergy medication I am using at the moment is the nasal spray AND I have lost whopping seven kilos since he came.

All this even our financial situation is very stressful and even though I need to work as much possible (legally) - I actually offered to find a short-term job for the first period of my summer leave and he opposed, because I need to take care of my health and therefore enjoy my leave. ^^

Yes, I am still alive, though I wonder where last month has disappeared. Time simply has been running away from me and I haven't been able to catch it yet.

Think of it: in my opinion DCLH came to Finland just yesterday, or day before it and actually he has been here for 6½ weeks already!
No, I am not complaining, vice versa, but still I am baffled. Though, I guess that I should have noticed time passing from the fact that my brother has seen DCLH and we have been eating lasagna for about six times already (He *loves* my lasagna ^^).

I guess I have become the White Rabbit from Alice in the Wonderland.

I just hope that I am soon getting back on track... well, I have my first holiday period in late May so maybe then. Here's for hoping.

Changes

There has been a major change in life, in addition to Mr. Wonderful moving in: cats moved (as it seems that He has somesort of an allergy - at least he's not sneezing as much now).

Boys went to live with my mother and they seem to love it there, which makes me feel good as I was worrying about them being separated from Her Highness - but apparently lack of Her Highness is not much of an issue because now they have three new buddies to live with. I have heard that even Seiichi, the Shy Cat, has got into good terms with my mother which is very much from him. ^^
Her Highness moved to live with my brother, because they love each other and my mother doesn't like her that much - if my brother hadn't took her she probably would have been put to sleep and that was not an option because, even though she's old and cranky, she's still relatively healthy for a Siamese of her age. Apparently she's enjoying it there with two younger cat ladies as I haven't heard anything opposite.

Work

Unlike so many others I am still working, actually slaving my butt off as our finances have been quite lousy lately - DCLH hasn't been able to find any kind of job yet (guy has B.Sc. and he speaks four languages) and all my sick leaves affected to my income and bills fell behind... it makes a nice merry-go-round. Hopefully things will clear out, financially, in May as it seems now.

I haven't even been stitching in months, before few days ago - and it's still few stitches now and then...

So, this is my story for now. I try to be around more, but you know where I am if I am not (at work ).

I think it's related to another familiar sounding word, which is "stitching" and which I remember only remotely (today is the first day in TOO long time when I have done any stitching), but I guess that all that has been happening in my life (frequent illnesses, work, work and more work and Dear Common-Law-Husband (DCLH from now on) moving to Finland) are a good excuse(s) (at least).

Today I had a day off and I have been helping DCLH applying for jobs (I filled the blanks and he provided me information - all the things I learned!) as he really needs one for several reasons, main ones being that he needs to get out of the house (because I have noticed that he is much more wonderful when he does ) and we really need the income (we can't look for a bigger apartment (which we need) from socially better (which he does) area until we both have some income).

And, despite of all the information given it is very possible that he won't get his EU citizen registration approved unless he has a permanent job... despite being EU citizen and despite that being much easier in other EU countries...

Yes, I am kind of getting mentally prepared for plan B (moving somewhere else).)

To make Mr. Wonderful's arrival less nice my body decided to get sick again - or rather enhance its sickness levels: that sinusitis was not completely cured by the course of antibiotics and I have been on sick leave for last few days because it struck back...
Well, at least we have got time together, not that I had been a great companion sleeping all the time and being in pain.

Today is the first day when I actually feel rather normal, and it is a good thing as I have to go to work today.

Well, I guess I can share the secret with you...

It so happens that day before yesterday certain $myself left from work around the usual time in the evening and instead of heading to home this certain $myself headed to Helsinki- Vantaa airport, spent 1½ hours at the cafeteria at terminal 2 drinking too much coffee and grinning insanely.
I guess you guess it by now: Mr. Wonderful arrived!

Better yet, he only had a one-way ticket.

I have been sick since last week and today I got five more days of sick leave and a course of antibiotics: I have sinusitis. (And now it occurred to me that last weekend was SAT weekend and I, once again, forgot to send the reminder... my excuse is hat my head is full of nasty stuff instead of brains.)

To make it clear: I am *SO* fed up of being sick all the time!
Though Mr. Wonderful has been a darl: even though he is very short of cash at the moment he has called me twice within few days (we don't call each other that often as it's costly (as we both have cells)), and he called me today just to check that I am ok (and of course say Those Important Words) and I got the sweetest email from him shortly after that.

Regardless, I head under my queen size blanket now and doze off while watching stupid shows from telly.

As you may have guessed I have spent my days lately by working and sleeping and sleeping and working. And haven't got much stitching done, less surprisingly.
To make it much more depressing I hadn't realised that tomorrow's pay is still affected by my long leave so I won't get much which means that I don't have enough money to pay my rent, which is already late. So, either someone borrows me loads of money or I have to beg my landlord for a delay until 27th, when I will get huge wage (92 hours/ 2 weeks plus evening pay plus saturday evening pay plus overtime).
Maybe not huge, but around that sum I have gotten used to get, which would be enough to pay rent and bills etc..

But on the good news I heard ages ago that Linda has received my little pat on the back: it took less than two whole days to travel from here to there (of course it was insured!) so everyone is happy (Linda has already started her Noah's Ark kit and I am eagerly waiting for images ).

Mr. Wonderful still thinks that I am amazing (and that I will make a good wife when that time comes (no, we are not engaged or anything, but I think that reveals quite much about his intentions),  and we actually have our six months anniversary in Saturday.
No official celebration as I am at work and he's not here anyway. Bummer.

Good news folks! Violarium organizes a stitched mail art competition, which is open to everyone!

Here are the basics, you can find more information from here:

Envelopes must be made of fabric designed for cross stitching - that is linen, evenweave, aida or similar. Other fabrics (like cotton fabrics) may be used only to embellish or line the envelope. All kinds of embroidery stitches may be used to decorate, but most of them must be cross stitches. The address may be cross stitched or back stitched or embroided with other stitches. Also different embellishments (buttons etc.) may be added.

Please write your name, postal address and e-mail address (or phone number) in a piece of paper and put it inside the envelope. Make sure that the envelope is closed well, you can secure it by small stitches for example.

You may participate with one or several envelopes. There's no fixed theme, therefore you may stitch on the envelope any motifs you like.

- - -

Envelopes arriving to Violarium by March 29th participate in both categories. Envelopes arriving to Violarium after March 29th, but by April 14th participate in public voting. The winners of both categories will be announced on April 28th, 2009.

The best bit is that you can win by stitching and voting so check for the details from above link.

(By the way, I am one of the judges.  )

One reason to dislike my menstrual cycle: at certain point of it missing Mr. Wonderful is a bit too much to cope with. Dang. (I guess it's calling time tomorrow - taking that I have credit on my cell...)

I was cleaning the living room earlier today and I finally piled up all the designs I bought from eBay during December... the pile was about 30 centimeters high (and as it consists of booklets and leaflets you can imagine how many patterns there are...) and it doesn't include those Wentzler's I bought for Linda and few frog booklets I sent to US.

I need to list them, which doesn't sound like a very enjoyable task, and then I need to find a place for them from my craft shelf... which will be yet another achievement, but the main thing is: loads of beautiful stash and it is all mine!

Never say "never"

I have proved this true once again: you remember how much I hate vacuum cleaners?

You do? Great.

What if I tell you that I have one nowadays?

While I was still looking for a job I was watching Home Shopping Network one day and saw one product which raised my interest for three reasons: it doesn't have dust bag (if that is the word) so no need to run in stores to look for replacements (you know how much fun that is...), it has a HEPA filter and it filters the "sucktion product" through water which should catch most dust particles on their way (in a regular hoover smallest parts go through the whole system and it's bad for an asthmatic person).
Well, after thinking of it for few days I got it.

As surprised as I am it actually is a pleasant product to use (no dust smell when hoovering and no coughing), it works like a charm and it reveals amazing things about the lifeform called "cat hair".
You can sweep the floor twice and still you have two egg-sized furballs in the water container when you have hoovered living room floor.

I am afraid that this thing may make me clean more often (well, Mr. Wonderful has that affect too: he is NEAT)...

I got an Amazon gift certificate from a friend over the holidays, did some shopping and yesterday I got my parcel from the post office on my way to work. Be forewarned that this may be an enabling entry (and full of typos, I have a migraine).

I bought Joan Eliott's Bewitching Cross Stitch only because I liked the dragon on the cover (a real must stitch, don't you think?) and was pleasantly surprised when I browsed the book through.

   

These are only my most favourite desisgns in it, it does have couple of nice ones in addition of these and then some. Really worth the money, if you suddenly have a need to buy it for yourself.

I also got Teresa Wentzler's Carousel, but I realised today that I actually have it as it is in The Best of Teresa Wentzler Fantasy Collection and have been pondering do I keep it, as it would be easier to get working copies from, or do I add it to that envelope of TWs which is heading to Linda's home after next pay day.

You see, Linda did a woman's work (visit this post to congratulate her) and stitched Ellen Maurer-Stroh's beatiful Rose Sampler in less than three months and as Linda needed to finish it within 2008 (because she had added the year almost right after she started!) I gave her a little incentive: if she finishes it before 2009 I will send her a stash prize.
Then I started to buy TWs from eBay and when ever I found some of the designs twice in reasonable price I bid for both.
So, now I have a nice thick envelope filled with TWs to send to Linda for her prize-winning stitching (oh yes, I will surely send them insured as there are some Out-Of-Prints).

Yes, I love to enable.

"Did Noah keep his bees in archives?"

This, other truths and question and loads of great free fonts can be found from Font Garden

While placing an order for flosses for a projct I justified postages by ordering "few" other things... stitchy, but also ATC/ scrapbooking stash simply out of the blue.
I don't have the faintest idea why, but I guess my excuse is that I have a fever (caught a bug from Málaga) and therefore I am allowed to do odd things.

Here it comes:

Typo In Proposition 8 Defines Marriage As Between 'One Man And One Wolfman'

December 17, 2008 | Issue 44•51

SACRAMENTO, CA—Activists on both sides of the gay marriage debate were shocked this November, when a typographical error in California's Proposition 8 changed the state constitution to restrict marriage to a union between "one man and one wolfman," instantly nullifying every marriage except those comprised of an adult male and his lycanthrope partner.
"The people of California made their voices heard today, and reaffirmed our age-old belief that the only union sanctioned in God's eyes is the union between a man and another man possessed by an ungodly lupine curse," state Sen. Tim McClintock said at a hastily organized rally celebrating passage of the new law. But opponents, including Bakersfield resident Patricia Millard—who is now legally banned from marrying her boyfriend, a human, non-wolfman male—claim it infringes on their civil liberties. "I love James just as much as a wolfman loves his husband," Millard said. "We deserve the same rights as any horrifying mythical abomination."

On the heels of the historic typo, voters in Utah passed a similar referendum a week later, defining marriage as between one man and 23 wolfmen.

Well, what can I say other than that Málaga was cold despite the fact that all thermometers claimed +10°C- +12°C (and Pete's sake, no heating... Ok, I know it's the Southern Coast of Spain, but still it would do some good) and that those 2½ days weren't enough?

Life hasn't been treating Mr. Wonderful very well lately and to put a cherry on top of it he got sick during the weekend and my poor man has to be sick all on his own (eat the logenzes I left and think of me). (Who knows, maybe for the next time he gets cold he is in Finland getting it. *whistles innocently*)
And it may be that I got the bug from him too (I wonder how... *ahem*).

No pictures, as you may guess we weren't out that much *innocent cough* and all the pictures I have are of Mr. Wonderful and I am SO not going to share that gorgeousness. *evil grin*

Short note aout airlines: Brussels Airlines could improve leg space, customer service and server food on their flights...

Excuses are plenty, time isn't, but I guess you have guessed that I have been slaving at work until yesterday (and had a killer migraine just to spice things up).
Yesterday I got my new baby, and to my shock I kind of like the visual look of Vista - but it's functionality isn't very intuitive - maybe because it reminds me so much of Linux and Macs.
Still, only bad thing I have to say about my new baby is that it came with a preinstalled OS... I would have rather had a backup on a disk.

So, you probably have guessed that I have sat and configured Baby since yesterday (though I went to hairdresser earlier today as it's Friday soon!) and there is still loads of work to do with this (after those six long hours of Vista updates and bug fixes - and today there was a BIOS update. Updates never end..).

Holidays came and went, and my old HP has loads of pictures waiting to be uploaded (and transferred to Baby HP)(one of the cats gave us a good scare in form of health issues and I am trying to get through to vet's office to get her results while blogging (ETA: due all the holidays her results won't be ready until tomorrow)).

Anyway, this is quite much about it now... a friends only entry will follow soon as I want to rant a bit...

Don't tell Him, but I fell in love today...

Kawaii! ^^ - and I know how to spend 67€/ month for next 11 months.

(My excuse is that I have been thinking of buying a new laptop for a while as my HP's touchpad isn't as good as it used to be, which bothers me tremendously when I design.)

I haven been stitching, not much, but that is much more than I have managed lately. Those antibiotics are bad for my stitching though as they make me tired and I can't concentrate on anything after I take my daily pill.

And, I surprised myself yesterday and spent some lovely hours with my designing software - and actually designed few things, couple of them got finished yesterday and some are still waiting for some fine tuning.
I have to say that I am very pleased with the big design I finished yesterday, I have actually already been looking for the right floss (I need something "desert-y". burmt umbra, burnt orange, muted...) for it, but I guess it is one of those cases which require lucky accidents. (ETA: 12-Grain, Colonial Copper, Just Rust)

Otherwise life is going on: I am getting better and cats are enjoying extra company (my sister came here yesterday, which means that there is 10 cats now in this two bedrooms apartment ).

...but I guess that wasn't a surprise to anyone?

My mother mentioned that one of my brother's kids would love to have their own "copy" of The Panda and as I also heard that my brother has the Panda with him I apparently gave up and have since been thinking "Maybe I could do again it anyway...".
Though if I do I will surely tweak the design somewhat to look more like a panda and be more pleasant to my eyes.

On the other news I finally paid the first part of Stitching Weekend, bought some snowman stash from 1-2-3 Stitch! for the Frosty Friends exchange and realised today that I need some pink fabric for one model... so, I also placed an order at Silkweaver.
It seems that you always lack some stash, no matter how hard you try...

I have suffered from mild URI from last week and being work-a-holic I have been working as I had no fever. Few days ago I jokingly said to one of my co-workers that I will surely get sick when I have my days off...
Well, unfortunately that was true and yesterday morning I went to see a doctor as I was coughing quite badly.

Result of that visit was sick leave to 22nd for viral upper and lower respiratory infections and course of antibiotics because I am asthmatic and in greater risk to catch bacterial infection, and because I was already coughing yellow sputum (sign of bacterial infection).

Getting suitable antibiotics was a quest itself: it took half an hour for the pharmacist and my doctor to find suitable one for me because of my allergies...

So, finally I have some time for finer things of life, but not the energy because those antibiotics make me sleepy.

Anyway, I am glad to announce you that I will be off from 9th to 12th (rather 13th as I come back late) of January because I go to Malaga to see Mr.Wonderful.

Yes, only for a weekend, but we thought it's better than not seeing at all for G-d knows how long period.