Sunday, August 14, 2011

Surviving, A Happy Dance & A Wonderful Visit

I am so sorry I haven't posted in such a long time. Things here the last few months have been a struggle to say the least. I had to finally admit around the time of my last post that depression had taken a strong hold of me again after being free of it for a couple of years. After a couple of severe meltdowns I forced myself to go see my doctor who listened to me and talked things through, and gave me a prescription for anti-depressants, but I couldn't bring myself to start them as I've tried so many in the past for them to only help me short term. So I decided to give St John's Wort a try, along with forcing myself to get out of the house each day, even if it was just to go to the gym (I knew things were really bad when I didn't want to go to the gym and see my friends). I can't honestly say whether the tablets and making myself go out have helped a lot and I'm still worried that there's going to come a point where I will have to try the anti-depressants again, but for now I seem to be on a slightly more even keel and am just trying to take it one day at a time.
Through all this however my stitching mojo took a serious beating. My rotation which had been working so well went out of the window and the only thing that I really tried to keep going with was my SAL on a Wednesday with Sally on A New Day. Even if I only did half an hour, I made myself get it out every week and it got me through some bad days. Although this piece involved a lot of tears at times it also brought out some good emotions and positive hopes for the future and so I was actually a little sad when I had a happy dance and finished it at the end of July.

I was also ecstatic to be able to take this and show Sally in person as we have just got back from a week away in our caravan in Hornsea, and whilst there I was lucky enough to be able to spend the day with Sally at her house, drooling over all her fabulous stitching, chatting, eating, drinking and of course we had to fit in a little stitching (we have now started a new SAL, LHN's Travelling Stitcher which seemed apt). I couldn't believe the amount of gorgeous stitching that Sally has displayed, I was in heaven, and after talking to her about her framer I ended up taking A New Day into his shop on Friday and it turns out he does lots of framing mail order so he is going to frame it for me and post it to me in just over a week! I've struggled to find a framer locally and have lots of finished pieces waiting to be framed, so hopefully if I'm happy with how he finishes this piece I'll start sending him a piece every couple of months or so and try to get some more displayed on my walls (although I'll NEVER be able to catch up with Sally pmsl!). We had such a wonderful day together, it went far too quickly, and I was really sad and tearful to leave her when the time came. Knowing Sally's love of sheep I had taken her a small gift of a sheep that I saw and knew she would love, and it turns out that Sally had also got me a gift. She stitched me this gorgeous LK Design, Friends Are Like Angels (hope you don't mind me borrowing the pic from your blog Sally, our camera is still buried in all the unpacking from the caravan lol). Isn't it wonderful? When I opened it I couldn't look Sally in the eye because I was filling up and knew if I did that I'd end up crying lol.

Having just got home today things are in chaos, unpacking to do, lots of laundry, getting back into my healthy eating and exercise routine, DH going back to work etc, so I'm feeling rather fragile tonight, but I'm hopeful that after my day with Sally and our new SAL start stitching a little in the caravan and getting A New Day framed etc, that I may have located my mojo again and be able to make a fresh start with my rotation.
One thing I've had to accept though is that try as I might, there is no way I can catch up with my blog reading and commenting. Before we went away I kept trying but got completely overwhelend, and as you can imagine after a week away the number of unread posts has increased massively. So I hope you will all please forgive me and understand when I say I'm going to mark all my blogs as read tonight, and make a fresh start with those as well as my own blog and my stitching rotation. I am really sorry that I have not been reading and commenting on your blogs, but better to start afresh and be able to keep up this way hopefully than to stop altogether which I had considered at one point when I felt really bad.
I will hopefully be back later in the week with a pic of my start on Travelling Stitcher and my other wips so you know where I am with them at the moment. Til then, I've missed you all and can't wait to catch up with what you're all up to!

15 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

I saw the picture of you and Sally on her blog and the two of you looked like you were having a grand time!

Don't feel bad at all about marking all the blogs read. What is important is that you take care of yourself. Blogging or lack thereof, whether it be commenting or posting, is nothing to feel obligated to do.

Many hugs to you!

Hazel said...

Sorry to hear you're still going through it hun. Sounds like you needed that lovely break away and I saw Sally's post on it - fab! Great finish and well done for keeping up with it. All mine have fallen through as well. xx

Sally said...

Glad you got home safely Lisa:) I was so good to see you and I thoroughly enjoyed our day together. I can't wait to see your AND all framed up. I don't think you'll be disappointed:)

I absolutely love my sheep- thank you so much- although he doesn't have a name yet. I think I should run the names by you and see what you think!

I actually feel a little more sad knowing that you are further away again lol!

Lots of hugs xxxx

Michelle said...

Glad to hear that you and Sally had a wonderful time together - always lovely to meet up with special friends. Sending you a hug xx

Gillie said...

So pleased you had a good time, no need to worry, don't think any of us will catch up with Sally with her beautiful stitching! Hope the framed works outcwell.

jane said...

Sounds like you had a great time with Sally, hope the framing turns out OK, that framer sounds like a good find!
Hope you soon get back into your routine and start feeling better about things (((hugs)))

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

What an amazing friend Sally is, I don't follow her blog yet, off to do so now.
Hope the black clouds clear soon and stay away xxx

Dani - tkdchick said...

Lisa I'm so happy to see a blog entry from you again. I've been thinking about you and wondering how you were doing.

I'm glad to hear you're getting out and about and that your SAL with Sally kept you going.

You know I'm your #1 FAN!

Lesleyanne said...

Sounds like you had a great time with Sally. It was a great picture of your both on Sally's blog. It probably did you both good. Sending hugs.

Poppypatchwork said...

It's just great to see you back,

Barb said...

Hope you continue to keep the black dog away,depression is an awful thing. Been there,and got the tee shirt.
Love the finish and look forward to seeing it framed.
Sally is so sweet and it was good you could meet up. Loved the pic of you both.
The travelling stitcher is a joy to stitch, enjoy it.

Meanwhile take care and happy stitching!!

Claire said...

Keep smiling Lisa!!! I have just come off my anti-depresants which I was nervous about doing... but plan to get busy and exercise.

HAED still have a sale on!! ;o)

Ranae said...

Love the finish.
Sally is a sweet lady and it's nice to see the pic of you two on her blog
Take care!!

Brigitte said...

It's great to see you back posting on your blog. And hopefully the stitching bug has bitten you again.
I've read about that wonderful day that you and Sally could spend together on her blog. Must have been a very special time for both of you.
Having a fresh start at stitching and blog reading and other things sounds very good!

KarenV said...

Sorry that you've been having such a hard time Lisa, but don't feel bad about not being around. It sounds like you had a fun time with Sally and that's a lovely gift she stitched you.

Congratulations on your MBT finish too - it looks wonderful!