Kkhymn's Corner

My First Altered Tin - RAK

So,  awhile back Tasha aka knitmommy sent me a beautiful handmade tin that I love! But, ever since then, I have been trying to make an altered tin of my own. Tasha gave me the instructions over the phone, but my first altered tin did not come out as perfectly as I wanted it.  Still, it was RAKed to my new friend Karen on Ravelry who loves it, even with its imperfections!

But, then, I really wanted Tasha to post a step-by-step tutorial on how to make her altered tins so that my future attempts could at least attempt to follow in her exact footsteps.  Last week,  several people in the Chronic Stitchers group shouted a big Yay! when Tasha posted her Altered Tins Tutorial on her blog here.

My Sock Monkey Tin

So, now Tasha is inspiring several of us to make altered tins of our own for ourselves, our friends and for RAKs.  I got a fresh set of supplies today and decided to try and make a sock monkey themed tin, using the sock monkey card I got in a recent RAK.

The Altered Tin - Side View

I am totally hooked on this new crafty gift idea. And, see more altered tins in my future. Plus, knitting. Plus, sewing. Oh, yeah, there is spinning on a spindle too.

The women of Ravelry and the Chronic Stitchers are definitely enabling all my crafty and creative addictions!

An important part of managing chronic illness and pain is finding a creative outlet that will allow you to bring new life into the world. I am not talking about giving birth to a newborn. But, finding a way to create something beautiful out of a few items reminds us that we still can produce something of value in this world. And, that beauty can be found in the midst of ashes; good moments can be celebrated in the midst of bad days.

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In the midst of everything I have almost forgotten to share a few more Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) packages that have arrived at my door.  I love sending out packages and receiving them, but I also love knowing that the RAK packages are never late, but always seem to arrive just when a person needs it the most.

Cards, Fabric and Roving RAK

The first RAK arrived right after I had part two of an already grueling gait analysis appointment. I was exhausted, in pain,  and covered in red, irritated skin from the sand paper that was scraped onto my skin before the electrodes and motion sensors were placed on my body. I had not eaten much since breakfast, and I barely had the energy to get home if it wasn’t for Tony’s help as my chauffeur for the day.

This first  RAK from Jo Ann  included lovely blank cards, a couple of cat buttons, some lovely fabric and some roving wool from her actual sheep on her farm in Canada!  I have just gotten a new spindle to learn how to spin wool into yarn, so I am so excited to get started with her wool!

A Knitting Mystery and Tea RAK

The second RAK arrived after I came home from a couple errands, only to turn the corner onto my driveway before hearing a horrible sound and then discover that my back tire had blown out. I called AAA to get the spare tire put onto the car, and the entire day was a bit off after that. Couldn’t get much done and just knew I had to drive with the spare until next weekend when Tony could help me get a new tire.

That afternoon, I got this second RAK package. This one was from Deanna. There was strawberry tea, ginger peach tea (my absolute favorites), a knitting mystery (my first one ever) and a butterfly magnet! It just brightened my imperfect day with kindness, and a good cup of tea!

See? RAKs  always have perfect timing …

Thank you Jo-Ann and Deanna! Your kindness is appreciated more than you will ever truly know. And, the timing was perfect indeed!

The Chronic Stitchers on Ravelry are the best group of women in the world. Full of strength, courage, wisdom and kindness! We have barely been around for a month and already have 228 wonderful members.

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The past few weeks have been completely overwhelming for me.  On top of all the regular physical therapy appointments each week, I have had more steroid shots in my butt for pain, new doctor appointments for orthopedic consultations, a new Rheumatologist appointment, and several gait analysis appointments that have already taken more than 8 hours of my energy each time. The topic of a wheelchair has come up again in conversation, but it is just not an option for me right now financially or emotionally.

But, I have to keep things in perspective and remember the good news in all this overwhelming marathon of appointments. The good news is:

• The  steroid shots seemed to have helped the pain in my butt; I can now sit a  bit longer before the pain begins to remind me that it is still hidden away.
• The gait analysis appointments have been grueling, but will hopefully give me an honest analysis of my muscle strength and whether there are any more surgical options to fixing the way I walk or my alignment.
• And, the new Rheumatologist acknowledged my cold hands and feet! Yay! He suggested a niacin supplement to help improve my circulation, and admitted it could be a mild case of Raynaud’s.  Alright, another new condition. But, not really. It is something I have been complaining about to my doctors for 10 years now; this is the first time a doctor has given it a name or possible treatment.

People sometimes think that people who live with chronic health conditions have nothing to do all day but be sick. Not true. Living with a chronic condition is hard work – every basic task can be a monumental challenge. And, then you add all the doctors appointments, blood tests, physical therapy, and all that time sitting in the waiting rooms! We are not sitting around all day doing nothing. By the time I do my basic tasks and then make it to the errands or doctor appointments, I am exhausted, in more pain, and out of spoons.  I don’t even have the energy to finish my knitted monkey right now.

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So, having a chronic condition can really do a number on our self esteem, our sense of purpose, and feelings of confidence or strength. There are days we are just too tired or in too much pain to feel strong.

But, somehow, we find a way to get up again and start over.  Sometimes it is a song on the radio that gives you hope and allows you to sing and dance again.  Sometimes it is a quote from a good book, a Scripture, a poem. Sometimes it is that letter, post card or phone call that reminds us not to give up and to be strong, confident and keep going. One stitch at a time.

Today, this poem has given me the confidence I need.  Some days I am a strong woman, and other days I am a woman of strength.  Even in tears and pain,  I can say I am strong, a woman of strength and confidence.

A Strong Woman, A Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out every day
to keep her body in shape
but a woman of strength looks deep inside
to keep her soul in shape

A strong woman isn’t afraid
of anything
but a woman of strength shows courage
in the midst of her fear

A strong woman won’t let anyone
get the best of her
but a woman of strength gives the best
of her to everyone

A strong woman makes mistakes
and avoids the same in the future
but a woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes
can also be blessings and capitalizes on them

A strong woman walks
sure footedly
but a woman of strength knows
when to ask for help

A strong woman wears the look
of confidence on her face
but a woman of strength
wears grace

A strong woman has faith
that she is strong enough for the journey
but a woman of strength has faith
that it is in the journey that she will become strong

~unknown author

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Yummy Yarn RAK

Two more RAKs today! I feel so spoiled and blessed at the same time.  The postman is starting to think I am crazy again. I can just tell. LOL.

I now have two postal carriers – a man and and a woman. They alternate. Maybe if the packages arrive in spurts, they will just think I have a home business of some sort instead of a crazy single woman with three cats, home all day, with yarn all over the place.

The first RAK package is from Vicki. She sent me some lovely wool yarn in colors that remind me of spring, with a lovely card. My mind is full of potential patterns to use this yarn with; right now, I am just loving how soft it is to the touch! Yummy yarn is always a good RAK.

Skippyjon Jones RAK

The second package came from Tasha, my co-moderator in the Chronic Stitchers group. There were some pretty blank note cards, and this award-winning children’s book. She has been telling me about this character in a children’s book named Skippyjon Jones. It is a cat that goes on all these adventures. I love children’s books with great illustrations and humor, and this one definitely has both! So, thank you Tasha for this gift of childhood laughter!

Thank you Vicki and Tasha for my lovely RAK packages today! You have both helped my pain levels today with your gifts of kindness. Even if that means my postman thinks I am a crazy cat lady!

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Stillness Earrings RAK

I got two RAKs from the Chronic Stitchers group yesterday. And, the kind words and sentiments are worth more to me than gold.

The first RAK is some beautiful handmade jewelry from my friend Karen.  She is a jewelry designer and artist. Her designs can be found at http://www.oceandreamersjewelry.com.  She knew I had an allergy to nickel, so she made sure that the earring posts were made of fine silver for me. These earrings have beautiful crosses on them, with a flower and a peace symbol embossed on top of it.

NYC and Tea RAK

Then,  I also received a beautiful postcard of New York City with some yummy tea from Melanie. She wrote the sweetest words of encouragement and gratitude on her postcard, letting me know how much she appreciated the Chronic Stitchers group on Ravelry. That sentiment was repeated to me again in the discussion boards the other day too.

So, in the midst of my pain, these RAKs bring happy tears of friendship and gratitude. Thank you Karen and Melanie!

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So, today I got my first random act of kindness (RAK) from my new, fabulous Chronic Stitchers group on Ravelry.  And, what a perfect package to brighten the gloomy, cold and rainy day we are having in California.

Sock Monkey RAK

This RAK came from Kathryn, and it was Sock Monkey mania! I love it. She sent me a pair of actual sock money socks, a hilariously cute blank note card with sock monkeys on it, and a great sock monkey magnet that is now on my fridge. Thank you!!

I made a trip to the post office myself today to send out several RAKs.  The postal gals are used to me, thank goodness so I got no stares or questions about all the packages! They even said, “See you next time!”

Practicing random acts of kindness is good for your soul.  And, receiving a RAK is like getting a hug from a good friend, right when you need it the most.  This is especially true when you are struggling with chronic illness, fatigue and pain.  It just makes a bad day a little less bad, and reminds you of good days ahead.

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Today I had an outpatient procedure at the hospital. Steroid injections in my sacroiliac joints and periformis muscles. Yay? My dear friend Shelia thankfully drove me for the procedure and stayed with me until I was ready to go home. It was nice to have company while I went through all this, and it was great to reconnect with her.

I have had the steroid shots before, but with my lower back. They did not last long. So, I don’t want to get my hopes up. But, however many days this lasts, I will be grateful for it. Right now the pain medications are still in my system, so I am feeling ok right now. Just nauseated from the vicoden because I took them on an empty stomach.

We will see how I feel later tonight or tomorrow. I have ice packs ready for the butt if I need it. And, I don’t plan to do any errands for the next several days to give my body time to recover and receive the treatments.

In the meantime, the Chronic Stitchers group on Ravelry is great! We already have 148 members! And, it has been less than two weeks! The gals who have joined are all caring, kind and strong, encouraging women. I am so grateful that we are able to support each other, share our experiences and share our lives and love for fiber!

So, life is still good. No matter what my pain levels are. Hugs to you all!

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