A non-stitching update...

...Well, there will be a stitching update soon enough as I am soon to finish my ornament for the HoE Words of Christmas Exchange, but.... there is other news to share :-)

First of all, thank you to those who offered kind words of support during this year of poor health for me. It took six months to finally get a diagnosis. I have a misalgined atlas, also known as the C1 verterbrae. This is a tiny two ounce bone that sits atop my spine and connects to my brain stem. How did it get misaligned? I have not been in any accident. My chiropractor is as stumped as I am. I may have been born this way and now, at age 48, pathology is showing. However, my chiropractor is wonderful. I have been having two adjustments a week since 9/2/11. My tinnitus is quieter, although not gone. There is still hope in me that it will pass. My migraines are virtually gone, and I cannot recall my last episode of vertigo. I do still get radiating pain in my jaw and into my sinuses. This will all take time...

Second bit of news - as some of you know, I am a psychotherapist in private practice. I received my master's degree in 1989, 22 years ago. I have only been licensed in Massachusetts, although have lived in New Hampshire for 20 years now. I live near the state border, about a 45 minute commute to work. Anyhow, I finally set a New Year's Resolution to get my NH counseling license this year. It took forever (8 months) to gather documents I needed - my old exam score from the National Board of Certified Counselors for oh way back when.... documentation of my many supervised clinical hours for oh way back when... college transcripts... graduate school transcripts.... documentation of my MA license in good standing from the MA Board of Allied Mental Health... three references from colleagues.... oh, and I had to answer a voluminous pile of essay questions, document my previous continuing education courses.... sigh.... it was worth it! I was approved for my license this week! What am I going to do with it? No truly formed idea quite yet. I love my practice in MA, but am going to talk to a local therapist here this week to see if I can sublet space in her office one day a week once I get some insurance contracts (ie., Blue Cross, Medicaid, etc)....

And... I was bored with my life in general recently - being ill can make being bored VERY easy - so I signed up to become a Certified Obesity Management Specialist. I am almost done with my exam. Maybe I will finish it this weekend. Yay!!

Hope you are all well... I know I have dropped off of the blog rolls of almost all of my old stitching buddies. I think mostly only newbies will read this. It is sad that falling ill can make one become so detached, but I do welcome those of you who do visit often and offer kind words - thank you!!!

Hugs to all, Carol

PS- hope to be "back" soon!

Lizzie Kate Ornament Received

I got the good word this morning from Anne that the HoE Lizzie Kate ornament I stitched for the exchange has arrived safe and sound in Australia. What a relief. The postal service in the US is going through major changes and trying to survive. Seems their international post has slowed down terribly... but alas, they got the moose there safe and sound!

Merry Moosemas
Lizzie Kate - in Tiny Tidings
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Kreinik #4 braid and blending filament, little brass stars (likely ByJupiter! or Homespun Elegance - had them lying about in my stash)...

Hope you enjoy Anne, it was great fun to stitch for you this time around!

Currently Stitching: Despite physical problems, working on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow, Family Ruenion and Christmas Ornaments as my health allows...

Tinnitus/Blinding Headaches/Jaw Pain/Decreased Neck Mobility

Subluxated C5 and C1 vertebrae... Twice a week chiro adjustments ordered and have begun. Never buy a too hard mattress!