Monday, January 02, 2012

Happy New Year.... and a little reflection...

I am a little late in posting this as it has been "holiday hectic" here, but I received this gorgeous ornament from dear Katrina just after Christmas - it managed to be able to hang on my tree for a day or two before I took it down, and it looked great!

Thank you so much Katrina - I love this ornament, and it will be yet another treasure from you to hang every year! I have quite a few from you now. You're the best! I will email you, as I have one from you about my health which does deserve a reply. Will try to do that today ;-)

I also managed to stitched up a couple of ornaments during the last part of December... did not get a chance to take photos until today (it is very warm and sunny hear, very strange for January 2... you can see how sunny it is just by looking at the photos!)


Merry Xmas Ornament
The Little Stitcher - chart found here
30 ct Medium Exampler Speckled 739 Jache Linen
Crescent Colours Floss in Apple Fritter and Bamboo


Noel Stamp Ornament 2011
Jeannette Douglas Designs
Just Cross Stitch 2011 Christmas Ornament Issue
R&R Reproductions 28 ct Flax Fields Linen, DMC Floss, GAST Floss, Petite Mill Hill Beads


And... I also stitched one yesterday while watching the Patriots game...

Jolly Ornament
Miss Crescent's Crowne
Just Cross Stitch 2011 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, Crescent Colours Floss



Soooooo.... usually at this time of the year, I do a little photo show of all that I stitched this year. Well, I sure did not have enough to bother to do that this year. It is easy enough to scroll only a little to see what little I managed to stitch due to my migraines, tinnitus, vertigo and neck pain.... So anyhow, I have reflected on some other things I did accomplish this year...
1) I learned about all one can learn about tinnitus, and although it took me 9 months and many thousands of dollars to get to this conclusion, I have learned that a neuromuscular dentist is in order.... my appt is for January 18.... I pray for no snow and tons of relief... and I will be writing a CE course on Tinnitus for the American College of Wellness this year, hope to have that published and ready to go before long...
2) I read 271 books.... paperbacks and ebooks, maybe one or two were hardcover.... all were romance novels... hey, I know what I like, and somehow reading has been easier than stitching... less having to look at tiny holes and threads, and books/iPad/Kindle Fire all easier to hold on some days than stitching has been...
3) Professionally, I made huge strides, despite the pain... or perhaps because of my refusal to give in to the pain... I have been licensed as a mental health counselor in Massachusetts for eons, and this year, I managed to obtain a very hard to get New Hampshire license, as well as become nationally certified. I sublet office space in Londonderry, NH and 2-3 days a week, I now work considerably closer to home... and sincerely hope that in 2012 I will be working in my NH space a whole lot more as I was signed onto several NH insurance panels already. I also took coursework and became a Certified Obesity Management Specialist. I also took a huge amount of continuing education in 2011 in - Anxiety Disorders/Boundaries in Mental Health Treatment/Treating Co-Occurring Disorders/Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research/Children's Behavioral Health Initiative Distance Learning Outpatient Activity/Grief Counseling: The Best Clinical, Practical and Integrative Skills & Interventions/Stop Anxiety and Panic in 5 Session Without Medication/Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act/Mental Health Treatment for Persons with HIV/NBCC Code of Ethics/Orthorexia Nervosa: When Healthy Living Goes Awry/Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for RDs/APSARD ADHD and Comorbidity Newsletter/Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment/What is HIV?/Bullying: Techniques for Dealing with Taunting, Teasing, & Tormenting/An Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation/Intro to Goals, Clinical Concerns, and Opportunities in Behavioral Health Managed Care/Blending DBT and the 12 Steps to Treat Eating Disorders and Addiction/Medical Issues with Eating Disorders....

So, while I have been away from this wonderful world of stitching and blogging, I did want to take stock and review that it was not at all a lost year for me... a loud and dizzy year, but not a lost year...

Happy New Year to you all!!! Miss you so very much.

23 comments:

Margaret said...

Nice ornament finishes! And wow, that's a lot of books read too! You did accomplish a lot -- especially for work and for your health. I hope you don't get snow on your appointment day. Fingers crossed!

Coco Cross Stitcher said...

this is a beautiful blog you have and some lovely stitching. I have become your newest follower. happy new year
x catherine

ollie1976 said...

beautiful ornaments and congrats on your professional accomplishments
-Jen

Mary said...

Lovely stitchy finishes. Congrats on all of the other accomplishments. You certainly have been busy!

Gabi said...

Beautiful ornaments.
And I hope so very much that there will be some relief for your tinnitus.
Wishing you a good and especially healthy 2012

The Little Stitcher said...

Dear Carol, I'm so happy! Thank you for stitched my little freebie! It's beautiful!! *.*
Many hugs and a very happy and bright new year!

Catherine said...

Wow! All great ornaments! And all the books - wonderful! You have certainly accomplished a lot this past year. I do hope you find sme relief from the tinnitus.

Valentina said...

Happy to hear from yo Carol!
Many compliments for all your professional achievements.
And I love your ornies!
Happy New Year!

Mary Ann said...

I have read and enjoyed your blog for a very long time. I have not commented frequently, but wanted to let you know that I do hope that your health is restored and relief from the tinnitus and other health issues is found.

Lovely ornaments--stitched and finished beautifully--as always!

Sally said...

I hope your appointment goes well Carol.

Your ornaments are beautiful. Love the gift you received from Katrina.

Andrea said...

Wonderful stitching finishes.

Happy New Year!

Michelle said...

The ornaments are all beautiful! And I would say you've had some major accomplishments this year. Hopefully 2012 will bring you some relief healthwise and will see you able to stitch as much as you'd like! Happy New Year!

Lynn said...

Lovely ornament finishes Carol!
It's incredible what you've been able to accomplish professionally despite your health concerns. Amazing really.
I think I could use your help with the obesity management!
Happy New Year! I hope this year is a much better one for you and your health improves.

Sharon said...

I think your accomplishments are amazing despite everything you are going through. Congratulations on everything! Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Melody said...

What an amazing list of accomplishments! Despite your health issues...congratulations.

Karoline said...

Gorgeous ornaments, congratulations.

I hope 2012 see's the end of your problems with your health.

Brigitte said...

Oh Carol, such lovely ornaments!
I do hope that your visit at the neuromuscular denstist will be the start of a healing process for all your health problems. I hope it so much for you ...

Cheryl said...

Hi Carol. A fellow stitcher pointed me to your blog as i just wrote on my own blog about my struggles with tinnitus. Ive had it just over 3 months now. I woke up one morning with the ringing and partial hearing loss. Id be interested to hear about any of your findings. Im just starting to read more about it now. Id been living in hope that id just wake up one morning and all would be well again...denial in other words!
I seen the most horrible doctor the other day. Im scheduled for appointments for a hearing aid and for an mri :-(
I hope things for you improve. Yours does sound worse than mine i have to say but i can relate to how you feel anyway x

Jeanne said...

Great finishes Carol. Yes you DID accomplish a lot in 2011 despite suffering through it. I wish you could be my obesity counselor as I need one! I hope 2012 brings you more success and better health.

Heather said...

Beautiful ornament Carol. I too have tinnitus, years of flight attending caused a little of it, but it was after I recovered from a perforated ear drum after a serious ear infection.

The only time I get any relief from the constant high pitched ringing is when I'm asleep.

I hope all goes well for your appointment.

JudySC said...

Wow - I read quite a bit myself, but to read that much for fun on top of the quantity of professional development work you've done is quite an achievement! And you still stitch circles around me..my hat is off to you! I don't get here very often but I really should, so many pretty things to look at...

Mississippi Labor Laws said...

Happy New Year folks.

sydney electrical contractor said...

That is a beautiful ornament and a good start for the year.