Hello everyone ... Oh my goodness, it's been a long time! Almost three years since I last blogged anything on a regular basis. I know some of you may have wondered what happened to me! Without going into all the gory details, I will say that about four years ago, I began having some pretty serious health issues. It seemed like every week something else would go wrong with one of my body systems, some of them related and some totally unrelated (unhappy surprises). There were times when I didn't know if I was going to make it or not. In the past four years, I've had literally hundreds of doctor appointments (my primary care physician tells me I've pretty much seen every medical specialty there is -- lucky me!). So anyway in four years, hundreds of doctor appointments, at least 16 surgeries (I've lost count), multiple hospitalizations and ER visits. A couple of years ago, I made the painful decision to quit being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator -- life was getting too complicated, I didn't have the time or energy to do it anymore, I had no mojo and the arthritis and neuropathy in my hands prevented me from doing much of the fine detail work that I always prided myself on. When I did force myself to sit down and stamp, I wasn't happy with the results ... lines were crooked, details were sloppy, and the finished product was sad, or so I thought. I've always been my own worst critic and I'm sure many of the "mistakes" that I saw in my work would not have been noticed by others, but they were by me and I just couldn't do it anymore. So, I reluctantly backed away from stamping and focused on attending doctor and physical therapy appointments and trying to get better and stronger.
And then in the process, I rediscovered an old passion of mine that I hadn't done in a long time -- Sewing and Quilting! Oh my, without Stamping, I soon discovered that I needed some sort of creative outlet ... I needed it for my own mental health and sanity and healing. So I dusted off my old machines, I found my old stash of fabric and supplies and I began sewing, and quilting, and
machine embroidering. Using the machines, I didn't have to rely as much on fine motor skills and fingers and hands that didn't always work the way I wanted them to, and I got great satisfaction from creating fabric art ... embroidered hanging towels, placemats, mug rugs, tea cozies, wall hangings, Christmas stockings, personalized make-up bags, baby items, and even full sized quilts! It was amazing ... it was like I was stitching my way to wholeness.
I found that the same things that drew me into stamping and papercrafting were the things that I found so appealing about sewing and quilting ... experimenting with the colors and the textures and seeing how they all could work together to create something that was not only beautiful but useful and lasting! It was, and is, so rewarding. And slowly and gradually, I began to get some mojo back, I began to get some confidence back, I began to get some strength back in my arms and hands and upper body (at one point I was not even able to lift a gallon of milk to put it in the
refrigerator and I barely had the strength to hold my head up).
Fast forward a couple of years! Last October, 2016, I had gastric bypass surgery done at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St.. Louis. Some very caring doctors convinced me that losing weight, and a great deal of it, would help save my life and help improve my quality of life. Although the weight loss surgery wouldn't directly affect some of the health issues I was experiencing, it would help make them more manageable. And for some issues, like Diabetes that was rapidly progressing, the surgery would very possibly eliminate them altogether. So, with a great deal of fear and trepidation, I decided to go for it. It was a bit of a long process to get it done. My surgery was cancelled thee times because of more urgent health issues that kept getting in the way (pneumonia and other respiratory issues, some bleeding problems and anemia, non-healing leg ulcers with MRSA). I didn't think it was ever going to happen, but finally, I was able to get patched up enough and healthy enough to undergo the surgery. It hasn't been an entirely smooth ride since the surgery, Early on, a collapsed lung sent me back to the hospital and I've had some on-going issues that I am learning to live with and deal with, but all in all, I'm very pleased that I decided to have the surgery and VERY PLEASED with the result so far. I've lost nearly 180 pounds, my diabetes has completely resolved (although I will always have that diagnosis). I'm off all diabetic medicine, GERD and heartburn medicine, nearly off my blood pressure medicines (I was on three at one time). My sleep apnea has drastically improved (as has my sleep). I still have to use a walker if I need to go any farther than about 100 feet or so, but I have hopes that eventually I will even be able to get rid of it. That's the goal I'm working toward. I still have a long ways to go before I regain all my strength and stamina, I still want to lose more weight, but I'm
working toward it and making progress on my goals. I have to keep reminding myself that slow and steady wins the race and I'm determined to cross the finish line. I dream about once again going for long walks on a crisp, fall day and riding my bike with the wind blowing through my hair. For now, I'm learning to be satisfied with the walking in the heated therapy pool and riding the recumbent bike at the gym ... baby steps, remember!
Fast forward again to now ... I'm launching this new and revised blog, I'm coming back to Stampin' Up! (I may need to settle with something less than perfection when it comes to fine motor skills ... and this time I will be highlighting not only my love and passion for stamping but also for quilting and sewing and all things colorful and pretty! I hope you'll enjoy this new focus and the variety of projects and artwork that I'll be sharing with you. If you enjoy looking at it even half as much as I enjoy creating it, then it will be a very good thing! Many of the things that I sew and quilt will be available to purchase in my Etsy store and I invite you to browse through it and see if something catches your fancy. I specialize in custom-made, personalized and unique items to keep for yourself or to give as gifts, so please keep me in mind if you're looking for a one-of-a-kind treasure! But mostly, I just enjoy sharing beautiful things that make myself, and others, happy! Goodness, this has turned into a book. If you actually stuck with this whole thing and read this far, you deserve a prize! And that's just what I'm going to be offering lots of in the coming weeks and months -- great give-aways and prizes and contests. I do hope you'll stop back often to see what's going on. If you haven't already, take a moment to subscribe to my blog so you won't miss out on any of the good stuff to come! And above all, cherish your health and your life and your family and your friends, for these are the things that give meaning and purpose to this gift of life!
Congratulations on your weight loss Gretchen. You look awesome. Like you say, slow and steady wins the race. I hope you continue to get well. I am looking forward to seeing many of your crafts.
Posted by: Barb in Ontario | August 07, 2017 at 10:09 AM
Welcome back to stamping and blogging and a new lease on life! I look forward to future posts!
Posted by: Lynn Starzl | August 07, 2017 at 11:30 AM
Gretchen, I always thought you were one of the most creative persons I had met. I learned a lot from you and am so happy that you are back in the business. Although I never did get into stamping and haven't done any scrap booking in a while, I do enjoy quilting. I am looking forward to all of the new ideas you create.
Say hi to Bethany for me.
Pat
Posted by: Pat Beals | August 07, 2017 at 01:51 PM
Welcome Back Gretchen. You've been missed! I followed you before and you are back on my feed again. I look forward to all your projects ad will also check out your Etsy store. You deserve an award for all you've been through. Keep that good attitude and take it slow.
Posted by: Karen Tenney | August 07, 2017 at 06:41 PM
Gretchen, I'm so happy to see you back online. You look wonderful and deserve many congratulations on what you've accomplished. I started out as a quilter and moved to stamping. After almost 11 years as a demonstrator, I retired in June and have now gone back to sewing and knitting. You are inspiring me to update my blog and get back to sharing what I create. I am looking forward to seeing your posts. Keep up the GREAT work!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Davidson | August 07, 2017 at 07:17 PM
So glad you're back Gretchen! And so sad that you had to go through so much in your process to GET back!! Blessings to you as you rediscover yourself!!
Posted by: Jeanne Nielsen | August 07, 2017 at 07:58 PM
THERE YOU ARE!!! I've missed you so much. Always loved to see what you've come up with. Congrats on the weight loss - I've been sort of like you trying to get healthy enough for the surgery. I've really been nervous about it but reading your story has encouraged me to hang in there and get it done. Hugs
Posted by: Elaine Moore | August 07, 2017 at 08:11 PM
What a journey you have been on! You have amazing strength and courage for sure! So happy to see you back with SU and creating again!
Posted by: Linda Callahan | August 07, 2017 at 08:12 PM
Hi Gretchen, good to see you back. I followed you for quite sometime and then didn't know where you went, so glad you hopped back in. LOL So happy to know that you are doing well now and CONGRATULATIONS on your success in weight loss and improving health. Sounds like you have been through a lot but you certainly look wonderful now so keep doing what you are doing. I'll look forward your future posts.
Posted by: Teresa Doyle | August 07, 2017 at 08:35 PM
So happy to see you are back Gretchen, you have been missed.
I am thankful that your surgery has been such a help to improve your over all health and well being. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
Posted by: Carol Jean Hertkorn | August 08, 2017 at 07:56 AM
I followed your blog and wondered what happened. My, what a journey you've been on! I'm so glad you are getting better and pray you will continue to do so. Looking forward to more beautiful posts from you!
Posted by: Ellen Wright | August 08, 2017 at 11:53 PM
Gretchen, i am so proud of YOU. Always have been. I pray there are so many more good days in your future than bad ones. I love looking at your creations and hoping I get to see many of them in person. Also, another talent, you have always had, and that you should start creating more often, is your way with words. -----A million tons of Love, Your Mom.
Posted by: June Barron | August 09, 2017 at 12:47 PM