Time for fall reorganization

Now that the Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilters' show is over I am ready to get busy and do a bit of fall reorganization in my studio. I've come to realize that I have many fabrics that I will probably never use. I have decided to clear those out, taking them to the next Fat Quarters and KLCQ meetings to share with my fellow quilters. Whatever is left after that I will donate, most likely through the Freecycle group I belong to.

I love the idea of sharing the things I no longer need or want. It's much better than just sending them to the landfill, adding to the destruction of our environment.

I'm currently in a bit of a creative lull, I think it's just a bit of burnout after the push to finish my show quilts, and preparing for and working at the show. Since then my fibromyalgia has been in a flare and it greatly depleats my energy, both physical and emotional. I have had MS like symtoms for a long time and even though I still don't have the "plaques" showing up on my MRI's, I don't know that I don't have it. I've also this years started having symptoms of Meneire's disease, which is an inner ear problem. I'm currently in the middle of a swarm of doctor's visits. I'm trying to peg down exactly what all is wrong with me so that maybe, if I can get the correct treatment, I can maybe get back in the workforce.

Otherwise, I need to seriously look into filing for disability, before I have been out of work too long to qualify for it. I have been putting off doing that, not looking forward to the stress of going through all of the hoops to just get turned down (since nearly everyone is the first time around).

I was really kind of hoping my most recent MRI would actually have the "plaques" show up, just so I could finally say, see, here is what is wrong. I have been formally diagnosed with fibromyalgia and arthritis, and I am currently taking part in a drug study for a medication called Minalcipran, to see if it can block the pain path, turning the pain receptors off in the brain, relieving the constant pain that firbromyalgia often produces.

I don't often write here about how my health affects my creativity and my art, but a current discussion on the QuiltArt list has made me realize how often the stressors and and limitations in our lives actually guide us to the things we create. The design of my quilt Spring Dance (see close up in previous post) is inspiring to me because I love to dance, with complete abandon, and I am now unable to because of my health. This design allows my spirit to dance, even though my body no longer can.