Blog Makeover

I updated some of the descriptions and links to better reflect what I'm actually posting. And what my life is about. I initially said that it's long overdue, and it is, but that's not a kind way to talk to myself.

I've started with links to RA blogs, because that's what I found. There aren't very many people with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (my most recent diagnosis) to begin with, and most of those aren't much up to writing. I know the feeling. And if you google "autoimmune disease blogs" you get freaking Sarah Wilson boasting that quitting sugar cures everything. Thank you The Katering Show for a proper response!

I'm continuing to reach out to fellow autoimmune folks, locally and online. Meet the Arthritis National Research Foundation's latest #CureArthritis team member :) I'm also making new friends and assembling a support system can actually help support me. As well as hammering it into my head that needing support is healthy and normal.

Post #301

I just noticed and thought it deserved a post.  That's a lot of project updates, random thoughts, and whatever else I write about.  I've been really bad at blogging lately, mainly because life has been hard.  I'm focusing on activities of daily living, which is what Social Security calls the stuff you need to do to get through the day.  They're all about limitations to your ADLs.

Eating, getting to medical appointments, and otherwise taking care of myself and the cats has been the main thing.  And keeping up with friends, mostly online but some in person too.  Things are going better this weekend, and I'm very happy about that.

I bought a new spinning wheel but don't have photos worthy of posting yet.  I'll need to move it into the sun--yes, Seattle's having real summer weather!  It's lovely.  And hot.  Ah well ;)  Take care everyone, and thanks for hanging in with me.

Goodbye Google Reader

But what to replace it with?  The big downside, for me, is the inability to easily switch between readers.  Such is 21st Century, First World life ; )

I started using feedly, I find its pared-back layout pleasing.  Feedly also recommends new blogs for you, though the recommendations based on readership makes me itchy as only popularity contests can.

Then I checked out Bloglovin, which is good in a whole different way.  Initially, I thought Bloglovin was opening a new tab for each post.  If I wanted to do that, I'd do it myself!  Then I realized that you can navigate the blog, and between blogs, from that tab.  I do like being able to read the blog on the author's site.

You can follow my blog with Bloglovin  (I have to post this to claim my own blog).

Comments and Replies

I generally like Blogger but missed the ability to reply to comments via email.  Now I can.  The catch is it requires the reader to do a few minute's work.  Here's how, if you're so inclined:

If you have the older Blogger interface please follow these excellent directions.

In the new Blogger interface, click your icon in the top right corner.  A box pops out, click "Blogger Profile", and you'll be navigated to a new page.
Scroll down to User Profile and check the box "Show my email address".  Then under Identity make sure that your desired email address is entered.  Click Save Profile at the bottom and bob's your uncle!  Now Blogger bloggers can reply to your comments.

I've passed the 200 posts mark and a huge thanks to everyone who reads my blog, and especially to those saintly few who comment.  I love each and every one of you!  Readers give me so much motivation to keep trying.

Welcome 2012!

Happy New Year everyone!  May we all have a better, brighter 2012 with more fun, stronger friendships, fewer difficulties and balanced budgets.

1st Blogiversary

On Sept 3, 2010 I started this blog and it's lasted a whole year, so far.  I think that deserves a celebration!  Thank you to everyone who reads what I write: I appreciate every one of you!  You give this blog purpose.

Looking back on the year's photos I see sewing projects started, finished, and still in progress.  Knitted lace for people I love.  There are parties with friends, visits with family, enjoyable days to myself.  A fantastic free pattern haul, beautiful fabrics I'm excited to sew with, and decorating my home.  

I just wish I had more energy to work on more of the projects that pile up in my notebooks.  Perhaps the coming year will allow me more time and focus.  I'm embracing hand sewing since I can relax in a comfy chair rather than sitting at the machine.  An autumn leaf quilt that's an ongoing project might get its borders quilted, binding on, then gradually hand quilted over the autumn and winter.

Fittingly, Blogger pointed out their updated interface so I'm posting with it.

Now with Improved Commentating

I switched to Disqus comments, which tests out fine.  I'll be able to reply to comments via email and other cool stuff.  Blogger isn't bad, and it's free, but the comments are meh.
Thanks to everybody who comments, they really make my day :)

Readers

I started this blog as a way to write about my thoughts and creations.  I knew I wouldn't have a large number of readers, especially since I've hardly been sewing.  My neck has been cranky and won't let me cut fabric!  My fabulous little sewing corner got dark come winter :(  It's frustrating, let me tell you.  Thankfully I still have knitting.  And thinking, lol.

Since starting this blog I went from zero readers, to a few each day, now 20-30!  A huge thanks to Treena the Slapdash Sewist and everyone else who's linked to me :)  Becoming a part of the online sewing-blogging community is more than I'd imagined.   It's inspired me to dive in and sew, and finish some stalled projects.   I'm also inspired to dress better because getting dressed up, even a little, makes me feel better.

I'm a few weeks late but my goal for 2011 is to create more.  In the past I've gotten bogged down on big projects or when I felt stuck.  I have a lot of fabric, even more patterns, and plans for much of it.  Now is the time to do it!  In my queue are a faux suede jacket, a quilt to finish quilting, finish altering a skirt, a bathrobe, a knit dress and a red sweater to fix.  A couple of these projects will only require 2 hours to complete, others many more.  But they'll never be finished if I don't start!

New projects will be Burda trousers, some fun t-shirts, high-waisted jeans, and a fitted blouse.  I have one that I really like so why not make another?  This list is subject to change, of course, but they're projects I've wanted to make for some time.

Milestone of a sort

For the first time since starting this blog, Microsoft computer views beat out Mac!  See, when Blogger says they're not counting me looking at my page, they lie.  So I was my own biggest fan by checking that posts looked right :p

Thanks to everybody who'd reading this, it's nice to know I'm not writing solely for myself :)

Invisible Disabilities

It's National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week.  That's a mouthful!  This is a worthy effort to draw attention to the many people dealing with chronic illness who go unnoticed.  We likely all know at least one person with a chronic illness.  You may not realized that your friend is sick, or to what extent, and may not know how to talk about it.  I'd like to help.

We understand illness as a finite process: you get sick, you are treated, you get better or you die.  Chronic illness is the wrench in this process.  Chronic illnesses change what people are able to do and, thus, who they are.  It can be very difficult, especially with our cultural focus on strength and working through obstacles, to accept that chronic illness exists or isn't a product of laziness.  Especially when it's an invisible illness and there are no obvious outward signs.  Most folks with a chronic illness are likely to downplay the seriousness of it because few people want to know or can handle the emotional difficulty. 

Friends and family often are forgotten or overlooked when talking about chronic illness.  That is a shame.  The entire family deals with the illness; a family shares each others' joys as well as struggles.  Family members may feel guilt that a loved one is suffering and they are unable to help.  The love and support of family is the best help anyone can receive!  The whole family will grieve the loss of one member's health and the change to the family.  The ill person will have to grieve who she was and learn who she can become.  This process is difficult and each member progresses at their own rate but supporting each other will help tremendously.

Friendships are difficult in their own ways.  All chronically ill people have lost friends, especially if they're hospitalized or homebound.  The friends who do stay often find it difficult to understand the illness or how their friend has changed.  Friends often are nervous or unsure to ask questions about the illness.  Most often chronically ill people are happy to talk about their situation, especially with friends.  Simply saying, "Do you mind telling me more about your illness?" is a great way to start the conversation.  Asking a disabled person, "What do you do all day" is something you may wonder but not the best conversation starter.

If your primary connection to a friend was through physical activities you don't necessarily need to give that up.  A milder version of the activity may work, or something different that retains an essence of the original.  Even sitting on a park bench is a big deal for someone used to staring at their own four walls!  You'll have more time to talk and learn about each other.  Illness can teach a great deal and you may find that your friend has a greater capacity for caring and empathy.

To those playing a supporting role: please don't forget to take care of yourselves!  The support system won't work without you.

Comments

I've switched to pop-out comments since there are some issues with Blogger's embedded comments.  Please comment or email me if this is a problem, comprehensivelyquirky (at) gmail.  Thanks!