Birthday Cake! And Allergy News!

 

Still working away on my 250th stitching! This is an old Brooke's Books freebie from her free set of 12 monthly birthday cakes. This one is July, and the only change I made was adding the 250 to the ribbon. I stitched it on 32 ct. blue & white petit point linen. Sadly, I don't think these freebies are available anymore. After Brooke passed, her Etsy shop was closed and her website with all her freebies was taken down. Her Facebook page is still up, and you can scroll through the pictures to see this set of cakes, but I don't think there's a way to get a hold of them, unfortunately. 

I am sneaking up on getting my finishing done. It's been a stressful year so far, with a difficult health situation in the family (Mr. Wonderful and I are okay, thankfully), and a couple of other challenges. I haven't been settled in my sewing room to work as much as I would like.

I have also developed the most bizarre and annoying allergic reaction to the tree pollen here. It started last spring, but never having had allergies, and mine not looking like everyone else's allergies, I didn't realize what it was until this spring. Throughout April and May, I'm pretty much "carsick." That's what it feels like. No sneezing, no runny nose, no watering eyes, just so much pressure in my face and head that if I move my head too much, I get dizzy and nauseous.

I figured out on my own how to manage it, because all the allergy medicine has too much stuff in it I don't need for symptoms I don't have.

1) saline nasal spray (the non-medicated stuff): the medicated sprays are only supposed to be used for a few days and if used longer, can cause worsening congestion and even become addictive. I use plain old saline spray (with aloe) every night, without fail, and after I've been outside, to keep the pollen flushed out.

2) real Sudafed (from behind the pharmacy counter): it doesn't have any medication in it I don't need; it's just for sinus pressure and congestion. I take one if I'm going to be outside all day.

3) heat masks for my face: I found single-use heating eye masks on Amazon. They warm up nicely; gentle enough for the face but warm enough to soothe. I use one when my face hurts.

That routine got me through April and May this year. Once the tree pollen calms down, the pressure just vanishes. It's so weird. Hopefully none of y'all have this problem, but if you do, I recommend the saline spray and the heat masks. 

So that's what has been going on around here. Babies are fat and healthy. Stitching is happening. Finishing... not so much. Fingers crossed! Hope you're all well and enjoying your summer so far.

Happy Stitching!