The Present Moment---A True Present

There is something uplifting about water of any kind. This is the view on our back porch. On a nice, sunny day here in the North Georgia mountains, I could stare at it for a long time. The thick green in the trees at this time of year nearly obscures the view; however, it really helps frame it if I look at it in a more positive way.

The temps here this week have been awesome. If only the weather could stay like this, right?
I thought that one morning when it was in the 60's at night and 75-80 in the day with little humidity.

Then I remembered how could I really appreciate this so much if there were no changes to really cold, dark, humid weather? Icy cold weather?  In reality, I wouldn't. We are pretty much conditioned this way to ebb and flow with change because change is the constant in life.

It's kind of like when I was a teen growing up. In June our church always had the youth group go up to Ridgecrest, N.C for music week camp. I think of that every year at this time because attending those camps yearly instilled the love of the mountains in my heart. It took me until I was 37 to finally move to the North GA mountains but it was always a hope.

After living here for a good while now, I have to remember not to take the beauty of where I live for granted. I'm reminded each time I go back to South GA. I may not always live here in the mountains. We really don't know where our life journey will take us but for me right now at this moment, I can enjoy the beautiful weather, fresh air, and nature's beauty here.

Being the introvert that I am, living in a place like this has it's benefits for sure. But will God have me stay here forever? I'm not sure on that. However, as I look at the pond below our house, I'm reminded gently to live for the moment because that is what I have.

So I'm going to take the moment of today and as I do that I'm hearing birds of all kinds singing, reminding me that if God takes care of the birds He will certainly take care of me.

I hope you are enjoying this Saturday with whatever helps you feel at peace.

Jennifer

More Thoughts on Fiber Arts and Health Benefits

Hey dear friends!

I had a question about the book I reviewed on the previous post by Betsan Corkhill, Knit for Health and Wellness that prompted me to share a bit more information that can apply to cross stitching as well.  Excellent question!

 As a lover of cross stitch myself as well as knitting now for the past 5 years, there is a website that the author promotes called Stitchlinks and Stitchlinksplus. I'm still reading through these and they have good information as well as the book. There is great information about the topic and she mentions that this applies to other needlecrafts as well.

click on this:

http://www.stitchlinks.com/quotes_and_comments.html

and look at the bottom of the list where cross stitching is mentioned.

Personally, I do believe that the book is helpful for anyone in the fiberarts, However, if you do not knit at all or not interested you may want to explore Stitchlinks site and also go to Amazon and click on the book to read the first part of the book.
Similarities of both include:

the portability of the craft
picking out and choosing colors, textures
choosing to stitch/knit in groups or alone
the ability to make things for others to pay it forward
switching between projects
the process of creating
the movement of our hands/fingers
the effects of all fiber arts on our mental and physical health
and many more

Also click HERE   and in particular  HERE to find that cross stitching is including as well as crochet or other needlearts to the health benefits.

I love to watch both knitting and cross stitching podcasts on You Tube. I mentioned Kristy Glass as she interviews alot of people and she is just soooooo good at it. She also loves fiberarts and can personally testify that knitting in her life and crocheting has helped her with a particular medical event that happened a few years ago.

I think we are all so fortunate to find that crafters of fiber are generally very caring at heart. I have found this to be true with few exceptions.

Even though I knew that even in World War II, the military used knitting or stitching with soldiers who were recovering or coping with PTSD, I was intrigued by this book with anything medical because that is my career.

I personally know for a fact that cross stitching helped me cope with some pretty severe life incidents in the past and I still love it. 5 years ago when I learned through a Crafsty.com class how to knit and still learn many new things on You Tube, I have knitted through extremely stressful situations and found it to be calming.

If you click on the website for comments about cross stitching, I think we all can relate to how helpful sitting down to our particular craft can be.

Here is a quote amongst many on the site as an example:

Found an old cross stitch kit i'd started before daughter was born and found that by concentrating on this i could find some relief from pain. Started stitching to give as presents to friends and family and found it gave me back a feeling of self worth.


I  hope your week has been peaceful. My physical therapy on Wednesday showed much improvement my PT said since the prior Thursday. I go three days a week. Pretty sore on the day and night after but in the long run, I'm keeping a positive attitude that some things just take time to heal.
This morning I went in for my session of PT, still pretty doggone sore but the therapist measured my progress and said even in the last 2 days, I have progressed even better.  I think that starting yoga again has helped overall and exercising 3 times a day now as required for rehab has got me looking forward to incorporating exercise in my daily life again.

I had to stop and think. Hmmmmmm  I wonder if that 4 hours of knitting yesterday helped?????  :)

Tonight, I'm in pain but I know that it will get better and some pain is necessary to reach the long term goal.
So on PT nights, I rest and watch podcasts, pray and go to bed hoping each day gets better.
Monday I have another post surgical followup.

As far as what I'm working on in knitting right now and for the past 5 weeks, I'm 3/4's finished. It's a pretty special piece for me and will share it in the future.

As far as cross stitching, I'm getting Mr. Darcy this weekend to put my floor stand up again and go through some WIPs I've had for quite some time. I enjoy both knitting and cross stitching so I wish some days had 40 hours instead of 24!!  I do know that at some point I will be selling all 40ct linen due to my vision loss with glaucoma. I feel best to stitch with 28 or 32 linen.

Thank you to all for being so kind.

Till later,
Jennifer

Book Review~~ Knit For Health and Wellness by Betsan Corkhill

I am a lover of all podcasts when it comes to knitting and cross stitch  (my two favorite loves). I could sit for hours and listen to people who are basically all over the world sharing their thoughts and WIPs and FO and oh, don't let me forget STASH enhancements.

Kristy Glass has a great You Tube channel and she is one. top. notch. interviewer. I think she deserves many more subscribing to her channel.

You can find Kristy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChz_jz50dnm5IlYn6GQHAqg here if you click on the link.

She is very smart and creative with interviews including needleshop owners, designers, and authors.
She brings good info to the knitting world.

At the beginning of May she started a book club for the book by Betsan Corkhill called Knit for Health and Wellness. Kristy said May was mental health month awareness and this book was a must-read to explain how crafting improves our brain and our health.

She interviewed the author here:

My take on the book is that it's an excellent read. I love the large print used in the book for my eyesight. It's definitely filled with well developed content about how knitting really effects our mental health.

I found the book material to come at a perfect time as I am in physical therapy/rehab for major shoulder surgery back in April. I have had chronic pain ever since, some days are intolerable.

I have been knitting as my arm will allow me but there is power for use of knitting in pain management.

She talks about how our choices of yarn, projects, patterns, etc all are enabling us to have good mental health.

I would suggest getting this book on Amazon if possible. I got the paperback version so I can make notes in it. I like the questions at the end of the chapter which stimulate deeper thinking about knitting and wellness in our every day life.

I just thought I would share this information today as I review the book again.

If you subscribe to Kristy Glass's channel let her know I sent you!!!!  She really is the sweetest and smartest.

She just put up a video on another book recommendation for this month called The Yarn Whisperer.

I haven't gotten this one yet but will. She has a video on this book as well.

I hope you are having a good start to your Tuesday.

Always,

Jennifer

Monday Morning Self Care Hacks and a Free Cross stitch Sampler!

So it's Monday........up at 6am,  Coffee is on.

For almost everyone, Monday means sometimes different things to people; however, there are alot of us who dread seeing Monday mornings. Whether you work outside the home or inside the home. Whether you have kids or the kids are grown or you don't have kids, Monday morning self-care can make a big difference to your week.

I've been through different seasons in my life but still Mondays seem to always mean starting over again or a fresh new start for a new week.

When I worked for the past 35 years, Monday morning meant making sure I had plenty of coffee. So,, I am re-posting one of my samplers for you this week if you like! See below at end of post.

I, like others, dreaded it in my profession because all kinds of things crop up over the weekend and then Mondays really were the busiest days, almost crazy busy because of being off 2 days. Sick people don't choose when they get sick.

However, it was not until my last place I practiced I really developed some things that helped me on Mondays. I used to think these suggestions were kinda hokey, but honestly they really do help prevent or enable Mondays (or any day of the week) to be better.

1) try to get up at least an hour before the family wakes to get a headstart on the day. Journalling positive thoughts and keeping a gratitude journal helps alot.

2) on Sunday nights prepare for Monday morning by laying out clothes, accessories, shoes and put work bag by the door with the keys. YES!  THE KEYS. I've been running around many times just to find the keys in the past.

3) Try to incorporate some form of exercise at least 4 days a week.

Walking in the evening after work is good. Yoga is great. Just something that is a routine and I promise you will sleep better and the brain loves exercise. There have been studies that compared a group who only exercised 30 minutes a day 5 days a week to a group with no exercise and taking Prozac. The studies showed the group who exercised regularly showed better improvement that the Prozac group.

4) Arrive at work at least 20 minutes early and if you have your own personal office, close the door and read a devotional or encouragement either from online or a book. If you are a Christian, pray for the day and for all the people you will encounter that day. 

This really helped me so much.

5) Try to maintain your normal sleep wake cycle over the weekend. Monday morning will not seem as harsh to wake up to. Promise. (I learned this one the hard way but it works)

6) help others but remember to take care of yourself as well. I know that sounds like common sense but I have been caught in the endless wheel of giving , giving  and more giving and put my own health last. Just creates resentment and burnout.

7) If your workplace atmosphere is chaotic and you begin to dread the people you work with, first take a step back and see where you can help the situation. If not, try to find another place of employment.

No job is worth tearing down your spirit everyday.

8)  Eat a healthy breakfast. Yes it really matters to have normal glucose levels in the body.

9) Be aware when you greet your boss and coworkers and customers, patients/ etc. that body language can really be either positive or negative. Even if you think your A OK on this, look at a few You Tube videos on body language and meaning. It will amaze you AND you will have a better sense of understanding others.

Vanessa Van Edwards has the BEST You Tube interviews and meaning of body language I've found.

10) On Fridays really do close and conclude as many things possible. It's tempting to just leave when you can early or save for later, but this one really helps if the previous weeks work is not carried over to Monday morning.

11)  Find a hobby or make time to get one. Think of things you used to love to do as a child. Then this will help you remember your creative side. If you have little time at all, try to sneak in at least once a week something you love doing just to create. This one is so important.

So, enjoy this sampler when you can!

I hope your first day of the week finds you peaceful, restful, and enjoying what you do.

Monday Mornings

copyright 2013

Feathers in the Nest-designer

thread colors and linen as desired

Here's to going for the second cuppa now!

Jennifer Fox

A Sunday Caption

"Not sure why momma put me up here with yarn......I'm not a cat..........."

~~~Abigail 

Hope you had a good weekend!

Jennifer