Hello after a long break everyone! In addition to having a bunch of stuff going on in my life, I must admit that I have just been lazy about blogging. It’s tough for me when I get out of the habit. Writing again seems like an insurmountable task. But then, like most things, it’s easier once I start. A lot of shit has been going down, though. My mom’s diagnosis is much worse than we thought. She will be getting twice the amount of chemo than is normal, radiation with adjunct therapy after that and the recurrence rate will still be 50%. We have all been pretty stunned by the new development. As for myself, I had another seizure a few weeks ago. It was the worst one in 2 years. I lost almost half an hour to the amnesia that I get. So my doctor increased my Lamictal dosage, which is making me feel pretty dizzy. Poops.
Nevertheless, I have been keeping busy. Just not with studio related stuff. I’m sort of waiting until I came move all my stuff to the basement when my brother moves out in August. Right now I feel overwhelmed because I have almost run out of space completely in the room I use now. But I have been sewing a bunch, which I would love to get good at. Right now I’m working on an apron based on one that I got from my great-grandma before she died. The original apron is very comfortable because it doesn’t have a halter neck; they always give me a headache. And as a bonus it looks sort of like a dress from the front. I made one version using the pattern I drew straight from it and the one I am making now has tons of modifications. It looks even more like a cute tunic top so I’ll be able to wear it outside of the house as an accessory. In fact I don’t think I’ll want to wear it in the kitchen at all 
And as an added bonus it should fit after I loose more weight, too. So I feel like it’s worth spending a lot of time on to make it as nice as possible. It’s even got a lining and totally enclosed seams. I love it. I’m miserable at taking “in progress pics,” I never want to to a break from working. But I’ll have some photos when it is done.
The knitting and crochet haven’t been very well, though. I had a major chemo hat fail. There is something seriously wrong with this pattern. I don’t know how on earth the designer got gauge using a dk weight yarn. 29 stitches to 4 inches, I mean come on! I’m using a sport weight and just barely making it. And on top of that it’s going to be too small. I still think the basic idea is cute, but I feel like I’ll have to rewrite the pattern, which is frustrating. So I’m moving on to another one for now.
Anyway, I’m dying to get back to my sewing, so that’s it for now.
6:45 pm on June 19th, 2010
You’ll get through this one day at a time. Work on just one project. Sorry to hear that you had another seizure. Remember you’re only given as much as you can handle. My thoughts are with you and your family as you go through this horrible ordeal.
6:20 am on June 20th, 2010
Ciao Beth!
I’m very happy to read your news.
I’ve thought about you in this time.
Kisses CriCri
5:53 am on June 21st, 2010
Welcome back to blogging, Beth. I was hoping to have an update from you and I am so sorry to hear about your Mom’s diagnosis being worse than you thought. I will continue to keep her and you in my thoughts and prayers. Looking forward to seeing your new apron and I hope you find a new chemo hat pattern soon, too!
Hugs,
Tracy Marie
3:54 am on June 22nd, 2010
Hey Beth,
Its good to see that your blogging again,
Thats a great hat pattern. i think i like the dark blue one the best.
lana
9:05 am on June 23rd, 2010
Estimated Beth
Much encouragement to you and your family.
Love from Chile
María José
9:33 am on June 24th, 2010
i’m very sorry to hear about your mom’s diagnosis. my aunt got a devastating diagnosis of terminal liver and lung cancer and was given 6 months (or less) to live…about 2 years ago. so, even though it may seem like this is the worst thing that could be happening, you never know what tomorrow will bring.
on a much, much lighter note- i’m totally with you on the ‘no-halter-neck.’ i’ve had terrible luck trying to find a new bathing suit this year because if it’s not a tube top (yeah, right… like i’m going to squeeze my fat butt into one of those…), it’s a godforsaken halter top. blurg. i should just get one of those burkinis and be done with it. hah.
lastly, i hate it when people don’t beta test their patterns. i can’t tell you how many patterns i’ve purchased that were just garbage. with, of course, the major exception being yours.
4:22 am on June 25th, 2010
Dear Beth,
I’m sorry to hear about your and your mom’s suffering. I’ll be holding my fingers crossed that you will both feel better soon.
Yael
10:25 am on June 25th, 2010
Hi Beth, I’m so sorry to hear about everything that you and your family are going through right now. I’ll keep you all in my thought and prayers. Just take one day at a time girl
4:00 pm on June 26th, 2010
Yeah, I always have problems getting the right gauge…well actually I never use the exact same yarn as in the pattern and I usually make a gauge swatch but it’s hard to figure out exactly how many more/less stitches to add to the pattern…
Best wishes for you and your mom
.
7:05 pm on June 28th, 2010
Your seizures are interesting to me; my twin sister has been having seizures for a couple of years, and I wonder if they’re the same kind. She starts smelling weird stuff and tasting something then has it, then she feels like everything is very “new” and she doesn’t remember how common stuff tastes, like coffee. I haven’t had them but I’m always on the lookout. She’s depressed she’s going to have to take Lamictal for the rest of her life but I’m just glad for her there is something that she CAN take for the rest of her life. Take care!! —–a fan
2:16 am on July 29th, 2010
Hey Beth
I saw this pattern and even though its crochet I thought you might like it
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/gelsomina/gelsomina.html
1:32 pm on July 29th, 2010
I’ve missed seeing your work. I hope all is well!