All Cleared!

I had a breast ultrasound today and the results are they didn’t find anything which is GREAT!!! news! The blood work came back all clear as well. I couldn’t sleep at all last night thinking about today and what they’d tell me so I ended up taking a three hour nap and had nothing accomplished at all today, but it was worth it. My dr went over “things and options’ with me. “Things and options” being the base doesn’t do diagnostic mammograms and they had to send me off base. Luckily both my kids are in school so when the off base hospital said it had an opening right now when my dr.’s nurse called to make an appointment, I could head over there right away.

I ended up waiting for a bit in the radiology department which only cheesed me off because Jordan called all the way from Afghanistan to see how I was doing and I couldn’t talk for long They called me up to finish paperwork moments after he called. Paperwork took maybe 5 min and then I sat around waiting for 30. /sigh I could have been talking with friends instead! He’s doing well on his Afghanie Vacay though and says Hello Blog Readers.

So I had an ultrasound done and it was not nearly as exciting as ultrasounds are when you’re gestating new life, there’s not as much fun stuff to look at. Lucky me though there wasn’t anything out of place and I’m good. It also means I don’t need the mammogram which is awesome because the idea of having to put my hoots through that just didn’t appeal to me. The ultrasound took long enough as it was, I can’t imagine how long it would take to do a mammogram on me. Does mammogram time change based on size of breast or no? Something to ask my MIL later I think. anyway… Blood work also came back negative. I have some things to look for that signal me to go in again, but my doctor said I should be fine. She’s kind of pushy when need be so if she says I’m good, I trust her on that.

It was so scary though to be thinking about what could be wrong with me. This last week has been a bit of pure nightmare and yet it made me realize (yet again) what great people I have surrounded myself with here. Susan emailed me from England to give me a shoulder to cry on if needed. Jordan called from Afghanistan and has been emailing back and forth with me as well. Laura would help me out in whatever way I needed and even picked up eggs for me at the Farmer’s market when she didn’t see me there. My cousin Erin also gave me a shoulder to sob on and I get to drive out and see her this weekend for a fun filled weekend of art. My mother in law was here last weekend and was great answering questions about what else could cause my issue and calming my fears about it being something major. And then my friend Other Amanda at imperfectly beautiful and I have been emailing back and forth as well. We’ve never met but I feel like we’re BFFs

So that’s it. All that worry over nothing. I ended up making cookies today (peanut butter with toffee chocolate chunks) and then napping. I feel better now… like I can actually eat again and my heart rate isn’t 109 anymore either woohoo!

Edited: August 31st, 2009

Upcycled button flowers

I made these last night while watching shows with the family. They use some vintage buttons that a friend was going to throw away. I saved them from the garbage though and gave them new life as button flowers.  I decided to do them last night after reading the Roadkill Rescue challenge on infarrantly creative. These fit the rules perfectly

You can also see the temp bookcases in action. I’m working on plans for building some but these do well for now. I’ve been putting different fun things from around the house in them like my copper trash can, the digital photo frame, a mirror Cody and I have had in each house we’ve lived in etc. I also have a fat stack of books to send to Jordan and I’m keeping them away from my books so that I don’t get confused. His books live by the front door now and I add to them on a regular basis. I’m just waiting on his address so I can send them.

Edited: August 31st, 2009

Alice Shadow Boxes

The bottom specimen collection is a remixed one and the top collection is entirely new.  The top one uses a french version of Alice in Wonderland for the backdrop, hand cut tag, and vintage keys. I love both of them and enjoy making them. I’ve waffled back and forth about putting them in my store because I don’t know if they appeal to anyone besides myself.  They’re heavy too so shipping isn’t going to be cheap. /sigh decisions decisions. What do you think? Put in the store or keep them out of the store?

Edited: August 29th, 2009

A twilight meets vintage and is whirled in my mind… print

Yes, I read Twilight. I didn’t go gaga over it (and made some hate buttons towards book four because it read like bad fan fic), but book one was an easy read. It wasn’t like the Anita Blake books (starting at book 5 or 6) where I had to force myself to read. In case you haven’t read the Anita Blake series btw… it starts out GREAT! Strong female character, good writing, great plot etc. Towards the end it’s porn. Not even good porn either, it reads like bad flow chart porn. “Did he stick his y in her x? go to plot device a. if not, go to plot device b. Now do that for 3 min and break for some soul searching talking (WHO does this in the middle of sex?). Finish talking and bring in random person C to help you finish it off.” It was just… it was crass and tasteless and just way too flowchart porno for me especially once the strong female character starts setting up a harem of random men she has sex with on a regular basis so much so that when she has the “oops I might be pregnant” scare she gives any Maury guest a run for their “Who my baby daddy” money…

…moving on…

So I’m slightly caffeinated right now and I was working on other projects. This just kind of fell out of my brain and I ran to the computer to make it. Isn’t it cute? I actually rather like this one and I have another idea for it that I think I’ll also try out. This one though, this one is good. I printed off a test copy and I’ll be sending it to a friend’s sister tomorrow. Apparently she was quite upset by the “And then buffy staked edward” button I had in my store. Perhaps she’ll like this better

Edited: August 27th, 2009

I think that about accurately sums up my mood right now. I hate when I’m stressed because I’m such a butthead!

I talked to my cousin Erin (she lives about 6 hours away) and Cody said I could go see her labor day weekend. Woohoo! I love seeing my cousin Erin. She’s so much fun and we make the coolest art together. I’m really looking forward to seeing her.

Edited: August 27th, 2009

Want to win FREE stuff?

You can if you visit the Etsy Treasure Chest from now until September 13.  There’s a lovely post about my stuff and the ways you can enter to win one of three prizes. Exciting no? I’ll be updating with tons of prints between now and the end of the contest so you’ll have even more choices should you win!

Edited: August 25th, 2009

Etsy Twitter Team Goes Back to School

Geek is Chic! Gorgeous circuit board jewelry! Take 15% off using code “Back to School” and be issued a refund through PayPal. 10% of all sales from August 25th to September 7th will go towards the purchase of school supplies that will be donated to Staples.

SalonDArte.etsy.com

100% of proceeds of sale of this item to benefit a local after school program with arts and craft supplies.

Here’s a new bling factor for your hair. Price already discounted!

DizzlePop.etsy.com

15% off, use code “BTS” in message to seller. Will refund the difference or resend invoice if not yet paid. Will donate 15% of proceeds to her local Staples for Back To School items.

10% off. Use code “ETTSCHOOL” in Message to Seller. She will refund the difference in PayPal or resend an invoice – which ever is easier for you. She will donate 10% of her proceeds to buying items for Project SOS.

10% off all items (before shipping) in “Game Day” Section. Funds will be returned via PayPal.

“School starts very early in Atlanta, so office supply stores were offering great specials at the beginning of August. I purchased backpacks, folders, pencils, pens, school glue, notebooks, notebook paper, rulers, protractors and highlighters that I have already donated to the children in the local homeless shelter.” – Lois

“I will also be donating 10% from the orders that use that coupon to ‘The Angel Fund” in our county in Iowa and that is used to provide school supplies and tuition for extracurricular programs for children whose families can’t afford it (i.e. art classes, dance lessons, swim lessons, etc.).” – Janelle

25% off total cost (including shipping) of any items in the BACK TO SCHOOL section of her shop (Mention “ETTBTS” in the Notes to Seller section and your PayPal account will be refunded.) She will be donating the first $25 from these sales to donorschoose.org

Buy 2 Lip Balms and get one FREE Lip Balm of lesser or equal value. Leave a comment at check out with your free lip balm choice.

10% off using “Back to School” in Notes to Seller. Will donate portion of proceeds to Back to School items for kids!

Edited: August 25th, 2009

Slew of Projects v 2.0

After my minor freak out at Cody’s work where I burst in to tears in his captain’s office and then again in the hallway when a friend teased me the way he always does (both of which were a bit embarrassing) and then again on my front steps talking to Cody’s mom… I decided to keep myself a bit busy. I didn’t spend that time on the internet looking up symptoms and all the what-ifs it could be because that’s just too much damn information and too many possibilities that scare the crap out of me. There’s no point in freaking out until I’m told something solid that actually applies to me. So…

… I made stuff. I spent yesterday making things, listing things, bouncing ideas around. We had pizza and grilled corn for dinner last night and my Mother-in-law picked up the house a bit. I got to snuggle my friend’s freaking adorable baby (cody still being the ONLY person from her shop to see the baby since no one they work with has stopped by to check on her after her emergency c-section where her child was {} that close to needing resuscitation but whatever. She has me and I’m way better right?). Snuggling brand new life does a lot to lift your attitude especially when brand new life is as cute as Elliot is.

After Rachel and Broch came to pick their son up, we all sat around discussing shelves that Broch is going to build for me for the front living room. It’s funny to me because earlier he asked how I come up with the stuff I make for my store and it was hard to explain. It’s like how I decorate my house. I look at this or that or the other thing and take pieces of them and blender it in my mind and out pops something awesome. He said he doesn’t have that type of mind and I said I don’t have the type of mind that can look at a pile of scrap wood and make a diaper pail, shelving unit, and working wood pull train. We all have different types of creative, it’s just a matter of recognizing which one is your type.

So I made stuff yesterday. Lots of stuff. I’ve been listing them on etsy all day yesterday and will continue today. There are loads of new prints in geek details. Stuff like these

Today is DIY day at Kimba’s A Soft Place to Land! If you enjoy reading about projects that other bloggers have going on, this is the party for you. Kimba hosts it each week, so be sure to check her out!

Edited: August 25th, 2009

A slew of projects

I’m slightly (okay a lot) stressed right now and so I’m doing projects all day today. I’m 26 and I get to have a mammogram on Wednesday. They would do it today but I’m already in so much pain they didn’t want to do that to me. So Tylenol until Wednesday and then I get my mammogram that morning. My follow up is Monday morning. So to take my mind off of all that, I’m doing stuff.

I’m listing new items all day today. Stuff like this “The revolution is being handmade” print

I have a ton of new Alice in Wonderland and steampunk themed prints that are going up in the store soon as well. Can’t wait to share those.

Other than listing items on etsy, I’m filling holes in my stairs with wood putty today so that I can sand them later and then paint them to not be ugly. It should keep me busy

Edited: August 24th, 2009

“Hot Pink Black Hole” treasury

With a title like “hot pink black hole” (something I tittered at), I couldn’t wait to see what was included in this treasury. This one includes my “happy place found” cup that I sell in my store. I really needed a laugh just now and this helped

Edited: August 24th, 2009