I HEARD that!!!!!

Almost six months ago I received some shocking news related to my hearing ability.

The prior post explains everything you need to know to get caught up.

A very big thank you to everyone who supported my fundraising efforts (and a couple over the top donations from those who are nothing less than angels).

I now have my very own set of wonderful hearing aids.

This is a happy day for me friends and family!

These aids are like a Rolls Royce compared to the lender aids I had been using. They have zero feedback in my ears, they are comfortable, they work in conjunction with my phone making life much easier, and they are rechargeable so that I don't have to deal with changing batteries every 4 days.

To say I am grateful would be an understatement.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who made this possible for me!

(((SAY WHAT???)))

I recently received some rather difficult news.
I have been suffering from multiple/double ear infections all year. After six doctor visits and 3 rounds of antibiotics I finally got a referral to see an ENT specialist. After the examination, CT scan and hearing test, I was informed that both of my ears have suffered a 50% hearing loss, and that I will require hearing aids for the rest of my life.
The ear infections most likely have nothing to do with the hearing loss but this was the catalyst that brought me to where I am now. Also, they don't know why, nor do they know if it is progressive yet. The best guess right now is that it is probably attributed to head trauma...of which I have a long history.
To say that I spent the first two days in utter shock is an understatement. I'm only 42, how can this be?
I can't wallow in self pity forever so I have accepted it and honestly this diagnosis explains SOOOO much! I have been struggling for years understanding higher pitches, especially female voices (my little daughter is in this category).
My ears are hypersensitive to all sound due to them overcompensating for my hearing loss. What sounds normal to you sounds twice as loud to me, and it's very painful. So I often find myself avoiding social situations because they are so exhausting (and I thought this was solely due to my introvertedness.) But come to find out there has been a lot more going on with me.
Anyhow, the worst news is that hearing aids are extremely expensive and they are NOT covered by insurance. So BOOOO to that!
I have decided that I just cannot let my family bear this burden. We've already been through so much the last few years and we've had enough stinkin setbacks.
Soooo my solution is to have a little fundraising campaign where I can sell my artwork just in time for the Holidays!
I need to raise $3,800 (these aids are the middle of the road quality).
I'm not looking for sympathy nor am I looking for handouts, I am asking that you consider my art worthy enough to give to yourself or friends and family.
And if my art just isn't your "cup of tea" would you mind sharing my story?
In the meantime, the doc has loaned me a set of demo aids which I am wearing now. HOLY COW, I had no idea how much I've been missing out on! I kind of love them and hate them at the same time! But guess what, I don't have to say "WHAT???" to my daughter all the time anymore!

Thank you in advance for your support! Here is a link to my Etsy shop where I am selling glicee prints of my Watercolors. I will also be listing greeting cards as soon as I can. I will be posting throughout the weekend so keep checking back. ...and I promise it won't be JUST chickens.

Palmetto Tat days, travel, weddings, illness....oh my!

Wow, September and October have been a whirlwind. It started with a wonderful trip to the state of Georgia for Palmetto Tat days. I finally got to meet so many people that I have been internet friends with for years but had never met in "real" life. It was so fun! I could only stay for one day of classes so I took a class from Riet and one from Georgia S.

Georgia put forth a challenge and of course I took the bait. She asked for a single long picot on a ring separated by a few knots, not a folded over double picot, and this is what I happily came up with. (Sorry, she made me promise not to tell how I did it.)

Much to my chagrin I have not yet completed Ineke's Owl project taught by Riet, or I would have posted that picture right [here]. I do so dislike having unfinished projects, but with that said, I have to remind myself that I am in the small child raising season of my life, which leaves so little room for anything else. Miss P is so stinkin full of energy! Truly, it's the first thing people comment on when they meet her. I get it people! My kid is HYPER! Lord have mercy on me! But I digress.

After Palmetto Tat Days I rushed off to Seattle to photograph my youngest Sister's wedding. Check out her tatted headdress! She really pulled it off and made such a beautiful bride!

I was able to capture the very moment that she first saw herself in the mirror. She exclaimed, "I look like a princess!"

Miss P did a terrific job of being the flower girl!
After returning from Seattle I got some kind of stupid stage 5 klinger super bug! It took me three full weeks to recover from that one. And mercy me if October hasn't been busy. In fact, it is so busy that I keep forgetting today is my birthday! Yep, I am now the ripe old age of 24...and don't any of you dare accuse me of dyslexia!

Getting ready for Palmetto Tat days!

Well, I am blowing the dust off my shuttles and threads and packing them up for my long drive to Georgia tomorrow. I am excited to meet in person the many tatters that I have been my internet friends for quite some time. I will also get to see a few familiar faces. I suppose that will give me some material for new tatting posts. ......finally.....

8 foot Piccadilly

Another thing non tatting related...sorry.
I have been working on large scale art and this is my latest piece. This is Miss P on the farm.