Surprised? Yes, I am still alive. Thank you for all the kind e-mails. I'm still trying to slow down and take care of myself and recover from a bad case of bronchitis after that nasty virus that's been going around here. Can't believe I've been sick all winter. I haven't taken care of myself, been feeling run down for months but kept pushing through. Being a mom, I always put everyone else first and have a hard time slowing down so I'm feeling wiped out most days. The crazy weather does not help. One day it's 78 and sunny and the next it's 40 and raining. Lately, I've been avoiding going out too much and breathing the cold, damp air because it stresses my lungs and only makes everything worse. When that happens I turn on the vaporizer and take to my bed with a cup of tea and a good book.
Coughing keeps me up at night and I know I should probably try to nap during the day but I can't. I'm allergic to codeine so I cannot take that cough med everyone says I should take that will help me sleep better. I've been to the doctor twice and had several reactions to meds this month and so we'll see if the latest round of antibiotics will help at all. Antibiotics often make me feel sick.
The doctor says what I've got is probably viral so I doubt they will work but he suggested them just in case I've got an underlying sinus infection. I had a chest X-ray last week and it was clear so he said I just need to rest more and give myself time to heal. What a novel idea . . . So, okay, now I've got permission to ignore everything that needs to get done and focus on just taking care of myself and getting better. Doctor's orders. Why is it that we do this to ourselves, thinking we're indispensable? The world does not stop if I slow down, take a nap, don't write a blog post, delay sending out orders a bit, skip vacuuming or get carry out for dinner, LOL.
The doctor says what I've got is probably viral so I doubt they will work but he suggested them just in case I've got an underlying sinus infection. I had a chest X-ray last week and it was clear so he said I just need to rest more and give myself time to heal. What a novel idea . . . So, okay, now I've got permission to ignore everything that needs to get done and focus on just taking care of myself and getting better. Doctor's orders. Why is it that we do this to ourselves, thinking we're indispensable? The world does not stop if I slow down, take a nap, don't write a blog post, delay sending out orders a bit, skip vacuuming or get carry out for dinner, LOL.
In between feeling poorly I managed to get another publisher deadline under my belt. A few weeks ago they sent me the first edit of pages for my next book so I could go over them and make any changes. I was relieved to get that finished and sent in on time. It's moving along nicely. Martingale is very thorough. Right now it's still all just my words on paper. The quilts I sent them in Feb have not been photographed yet. There will be one more edit and then they say I should see page proofs in May, which will be very exciting, seeing everything beautifully laid out with photos. It's all coming together and hopefully will be ready for a December release. The reason it takes so long is that - ha ha, guess what? - my book is not the only book they're working on. Everyone at Martingale works hard to see all their books-in-progress through all the different stages (they publish something like 40-50 books a year). Things have to fit nicely on a tight schedule in order to get several books released each month. Sounds difficult to coordinate all of this.
I didn't want to miss the International Quilt Fest in Chicago this year so I dragged myself over to see it a few weeks ago. Sorry, but they would not let me take photos of most of the quilts in the show. Primitive Quilts magazine had a very nice exhibit so that was fun -
I noticed there were not as many good vendor booths as in years past - very disappointing.
Red Button Pattern Company - love these little quilts.
antique quilt booths
A specially painted John Deere featherweight from 1950
A few doll quilts scattered here and there
Lots and lots of booths with nice fat quarters. Trust me, I stocked up.
* * *
I have to tell you that I am not really interested in keeping up with Facebook or other social media right now. Facebook is starting to seem really pointless. Also, forgive me for not leading the small quilt groups or being active in them. I will pop in here and there when I am feeling better and have something to say. The fact is, I'm just not doing much quilting. That always happens when I finish working on quilts for a book. The intensity of meeting a deadline for making so many quilts in a short period of time exhausts me. I just need a break from it for a little while. Being sick is a good excuse to stay quiet, put my feet up and read some books on my list and I'm having more fun doing that right now.
You all take care and I will see you back here soon, when I have something fun to write about.
You really are a good mama!!! BUT now is time to take care of you because those younguns' are going to need you more and more and we all have to keep in tip top shape.
ReplyDeleteI've not quilted much either lately because the warm weather has me outside more than ever!
Take care of you and we'll keep praying for a full recovery and back to our bouncy self!!
Rita
Take care of yourself. Glad you were about to go to the show in Chicago. Curious as to what FQ's are selling for in your part of the world. "maybe" you need another hobby for when you don't feel like quilting. A sit down hobby like punch needle or rug hooking. Sad to say that rug hooking has taken over #1 place in my world and quilting is now #2. Rest and get well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, hope you shake that virus soon. Anxious to see the new book.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again, also good to know you are on the mend. Very Good to take it easy and just do
ReplyDeletethose things that are not physically or mentally stressful. Do take care and blog when you can. It was such
a treat to see the blog in my email!
Your retired pharmaceutucal and insurance specialist is tisking. codiene is not an end all solution. My allergist in NJ was head of medical college allergy department. He recommended I use Delsym. Looks icky. Tastes passably not horrid. Hehehe grammar however is missing in action. Lasts 8-12 hours cough relief. You need sleep at usual times mess with body clock and will not help. You have nothing to lose. I was skeptical abd on my worst times including sinus infections and/or colds it works. Doesn't always stifle every cough but NO codiene problems. I think your doggie nurse has been negligent as your hikes have been missing. Be patient. Behave. Stop cheating getting book deadlines done. I don't want a post Mortum quilt book #5.....I want a signed copy !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery good to hear from you. I, too, have been wondering if you were okay. Continue on 'slow bell' until you have your strength back. Blessings.......
ReplyDeleteTake it easy Kathy, you deserve it!!! Feel better soon!!
ReplyDeleteTry rubbing Vicks Vapor Rub on the bottom of your feet and put socks on.....helps to sleep better with less coughing. Tried this on my grandson and he had great night sleeping. Take care...
ReplyDeleteI have missed your blog posts but I certainly understand that your health is WAY more important than blogging or FB :) Rest, rest, rest!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll be looking forward to your next book :) Thanks for all your inspiration. (((HUGS)))
Sorry you have been poorly for so long. Look after yourself. Deadlines are important & so is family. When you are better, converse with us. Liz in Rochester
ReplyDeleteIs very good to hear from you. Slow but sure is better than no improvement at all. Feeling ill and coughing is very exhausting... I miss your walk pictures an am super excited about your new book release:)
ReplyDeleteJennifer
So sorry you have been so sick; it's exhausting. One thing that worked for me is I read to put Vicks on the bottoms of your feet when you go to bed at night and it relieves the cough. It worked for me. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely surprise to see your blog post today! You're sounding much brighter and i enjoyed seeing the Quilt Fest photos.. how cute is that JD green featherweight!!
ReplyDeleteKeep taking it nice & slow and before you know it you'll be itching to get back into quilting :)) hugs, Marian
It may take some time for your lungs to be less sensitive. I've had pneumonia several times, as well as bronchitis, and it takes quite a while to recover. I was given steroids and bronchodilators, and it still took some time. The good news is that you can rest (guilt free), and maybe do some comforting piecing, and quilting...very therapeutic! Anyway, relax and pamper yourself!
ReplyDeletethanks for taking a moment (know it took more than a few!) to reach out to us. sorry you have been sick. heal, rejuvenate, and maybe FB will be better come late November!
ReplyDeleteLois
is your illness due to stress? I know I get sick if I have too much stress and right now you are having lots of pressures. take things slower. Can you put a book out next year instead of this year?
ReplyDeleteReally like your work and don't want to see you quit something you used to love.
Kathleen Mary
https://kathysnest32.wordpress.com/
hi Kathleen, Congratulations on a new book! How exciting! Relax and put your feet up. You deserve it. I love your books and blog but we all need a break. I hope you are feeling well very soon.
ReplyDeleteSharon
Take care of yourself and rest so that your body can recover, that is my advise. Hope you start to feel better soon. You can make cough syrup from garlic and honey, lightly crush two heads of garlic, leave 15 minutes, crush very fine and mix with and cover with honey, leave overnight and take a teaspoon as needed. There are other cough syrups from natural ingredients, they might help relieve symptoms without a allergic reaction. Greetings Aurora
ReplyDeleteGlad that you managed to go to Chicago! Will you go to Salt Lake City in May? Hope to meet you there! Take care and get well soon!
ReplyDeleteA lot of the dealers are now going NO PHOTOS. But sometimes you just want to remember something you saw. Would have liked to have joined you here looking at all the fabulous quilts. You deserve to have some time to youself to heal. We are already getting into the last week of April so it is one month closer to your book being released. so put your feet up and enjoy a cup of tea with me..
ReplyDeleteSue
It is best to just relax and take care of yourself! :-) Good thing you got to get to the quilt show! Sometimes just walking around and letting the mind wander in whatever direction it wants to go is the best medicine! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathleen for this post. Waiting for your new book. Our
ReplyDeletetime is the most precious thing, therefore we must spend it in the way that we like and makes us feel good.
Top priority - get well and take your time doing it. We miss you, but certainly know that blogging is not important now. Good to hear from you and anxious for your book.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to feeling better soon! Looking forward to your new book, trying to wait patiently!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you are not feeling well. Rest and take it easy. Love all your work.
ReplyDeleteLiz, Perth Western Australia.
Hope you are feeling better. I had a winter like that and it's no fun! So excited to hear about your new book. Martingale is my favorite publisher for quilt books - they do a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteMay you continue to be on the mend and get well soon! I enjoyed the photos that you posted and in this one, the table of all Civil War Fat Quarters for sale has me drooling. Congratulations on the progress on your newest book, too.
ReplyDeleteDitto the previous comments of congratulations and sympathy. I'm not a writer, but I have been sick a lot lately and have put quilting on the back burner for awhile. I'd really like to know some of what's on your reading list.
ReplyDelete