I want to say "Hello" to all my friends, as I have been missing in action; I have been in a migraine swamp lately - after a 5 day bout, I was on steroids to break the cycle; it helped but I am back into another round. Because the head pain is more frequent, I went to a neurologist who believes I may be having secondary headaches called Hemicrania Continua - it makes you go around asking people to pull the knife out of your eye!! Not fun. Oh, I didn't mention the 'good' part = you can still have migraines with this type of head pain!!
The recent show of 'Royal Pains' discussed chronic disease and had a banner that said: "You are not your disease". These words seemed almost empowering - many times I feel like I am always saying: " Hi - my name is Mimi and I am a daily migraineur".
Here is a new book about the never ending headache: http://chocolateandvicodin.com/
I believe this may be one combination I have not tried!!

We are going round and round at my house over my samplers. No - not because I have too many (which I do) or they cost too much to frame - nothing like that. It is because I will not hang them up.
I know many of you have sampler walls or Quaker walls and they are gorgeous - I am happy to just sit and look at all your lovely tributes to our fore-mothers. Each of you stitchers do beautiful work and should be so proud and I personally thank you for letting me see them; they are inspirational.
In my current house, there are a couple of large walls that need something and my family thinks my samplers should be displayed where everyone can see them. I am having trouble with this idea. It looks like I am vying for attention - anyone that walks in will feel obligated to comment on them - it's not who I am. It just seems so personal to put my work out there in public view (esp for those that are not sampler lovers).
I could be talked into putting them in another room but that is not the popular idea.
I don't know why I am having difficulty with this - is it because I think I am not a real artist, though some of the samplers are my own creation & design?
Is there a pill for this???????
And since I am still on a band sampler binge, I love these:

It is cold today so will use the fireplace - after a news show stated a barrel of oil is now $106, I am glad we all have our stitching - it does not cost anything to sit and create a lovely remembrance for the next generations.