Mar 3, 2018

Reflections

Reflections
Reflections on life.....
I started this blog post few weeks ago. Then I stopped and left it unfinished.
I wasn't sure what I would like to include in this post.
There are so many things that keep floating through my mind lately, and I am not sure where to start and where to end.
The first image is of my dog. We went for a hike few weeks ago and I took this photo. I posted it on my personal FB and a friend suggested that I should submit the image as she thought its beautiful. I haven't done anything serious in photography field for years. To be more specific, I haven't done anything since my pregnancy. I guess the whole motherhood somehow kept me occupied enough for years. It still keeps busy, but since the DVT and PE that happened to me last year in March I slowed down and started to reflect more on what I have close to my heart.
The thing about DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and PE (pulmonary embolism) is that it can kill you. Somewhere I read statistics that every 10th person dies from it. I guess I have been lucky twice so far. My first DVT was at the time when I had two weeks old baby, and then the next one was last year in March. Somehow the fact that I have this ticking bomb inside my veins is frightening and can keep me awake at nights. Yet I try to live my life and continue with day to day tasks and chores.
My hikes in the woods with the puppy, which arrived less than a month after my DVT and PE episode keep me busy in a positive way.
I spend about two to three hours a day walking. Most of the time I love it, except when it rains a lot and is windy. The other thing I dislike about these hikes is the higher exposure to the ticks. I have found them even in January!
Also the hikes in the woods take away my knitting time and my social media time. I wish it would take away my house choir time, but somehow that doesn't seem to be happening.
In any case, I try to carry on with my work on designing new and interesting knitting patterns, and I hope to continue for many years to come.
The picture bellow was taken on another hike with my dog and the kid. I have been collecting heart shaped stones for long time and sometimes I see the heart shape image in another places. When I captured this photo I saw only one heart shape, but then I looked at it again and saw another one,  dark and light halves put together creating an almost perfect heart shape. Can you see it too?


Hearts
Seven years ago I wrote first blog post. I must say it has been an interesting journey. Google statistic tells me that almost 750 000 people have visited this corner of the Internet. That is amazing. I hope that those who stopped by were inspired by my work and perhaps will keep returning to see what is new on my adventurous journey through life.
Here are few links I thought to share with you:
The post about Life, DVT, and PE
Photography contest entry

And as always, thank you for visiting.

As a thank you for the blog visitors I have created a discount for my knitting patterns. You can get one free pattern of your choice from my pattern collection by using the coupon code Life in the checkout. The promotion runs until Monday March 5th 2018 midnight Eastern US time.
My patterns

23 comments:

  1. I have to admit, your friend was right about the dog photo - it is gorgeous!

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    1. Hello Rie.
      Thank you for your kind words :)
      Stana

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  2. Love both photos. Keep doing what you love.❤️
    Carmen

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    1. Hello Carmen,
      thank you for your wonderful words.
      Stana

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  3. I hadn't seen your designs before, my knitting skills are a work in progress, so my exposure to amazing patterns has been very limited! I am so happy to have found your blog today though. Your reflections resonated very personally with me. I too have major health struggles and it creates a lot of 'what if's' and some 'what's next'. I don't suppose we will ever really have answers to most of our questions or our trepidations, and really that's okay, each day is a beautiful gift. Carpe Diem! I used the code for the double knit scarf, that will be a new technique for me to learn. I also found several patterns for critters that I certainly need to make for charity. I have yet to knit a critter or creature and it's about time I take that leap as well! :)
    There is something so therapeutic for me about pouring my heart and love into something that will go to comfort a child. Thank you for your reflection, thank you for sharing yourself with others, thank you for encouraging others to explore their passion.

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    1. Hello,
      thank you for such a personal comment. I hope that your health issues will improve and that you are able to enjoy each and every day.
      I hope your double knitting adventure will be smooth and that you will take a leap in knitting some fun critters. They are always the best to make because take bring great joy to both the knitter and the recipient :)
      All the best
      Stana

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  4. Your photographs are lovely, and yes I did see the second two toned heart. It is an amazing photo. You should do more of them. I say take time for the things you love to do and relax as much as you can. and thank you for sharing these parts of your life with us.

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    1. Hello Pamela,
      thank you for your compliment about my photography. I really appreciate that :)
      Stana

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  5. I had thrombosis and embolism as well and I am so happy that I survived it, and I am happy that you survived it!

    These events tell us and teach us to think anew about life, and it took me 15 years to change my life unfortunately, only when I left work for pension I could stop the stress and hurry... now I life a new life, life on the countryside and am happy.

    May your life be good to you!

    Connie

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    1. Hello Connie,
      Thank you for your kind words and shared story. It is scary event and hard to explain to many.
      I am glad that your life is calm and happy.
      I am trying to reach equilibrium but there are days when it seems impossible.
      Knitting and walks in the woods definitively help.
      Stana

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  6. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and those photos. I especially love the one of your dog :).

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    1. hello Kathleen,
      thank you for your kind words.
      Have fun knitting :)
      Stana

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  7. Hi there, just found your blog and I know how it feels :) Had a dvt in my stomach area a year ago... it was a matter of hours untill... the thing happens you don't want to think about :p I too have a son, 6 years old at the moment... it scares the shit out of you and still does!!! what would have happened with him?! how do you cope with the feelings it leaves? I'm happy to be alive and yet so scared to go through this again... gratefull I'm able to tell my story and yet so angry and sad for the way it happened (docters didn't believe it was serious untill it was almost too late :( ) ... btw love the dog!!! what race is it? love and hugs :) oh... going to check the patterns now :p

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    1. Hello Dieke,
      I feel your agony over the "what if" and "what would happen to my kid..."
      The anxiety that these thoughts can create is agonizing, but I hope in second and third chances and I hope to see my kid grow up and perhaps even one day see grandkids....
      Our dog is mixed and adopted from animal shelter when he was a puppy 3 months old.
      Have fun knitting :)
      Hugs and love to you.
      Stay strong and positive!
      Stana

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  8. I'm so grateful for the many creative and wonderful designs you given the knitting community. Your designs are full of joy and fun. I'm so sorry to hear about your health problems. You deserve a full measure of the joy you've given us. Do whatever you need to do.

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    1. Hello Terry,
      Thank you very much for your kind and encouraging words :)
      Happy knitting :)
      Stana

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  9. Gorgeous photos. I'm glad you survived the DVT and PE and can keep hiking and taking more beautiful pictures.

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  10. Such gorgeous photographs. I'm glad you survived the DVT and PE and can continue to hike and show us the beautiful things you see.

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    1. Hello Meagan,
      Thank you for your kind words.
      Stana

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  11. Replies
    1. Hello Roxie,
      Thank you for leaving a comment.
      Happy knitting.
      Stana

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  12. Yes, I can see the second heart, but it's good that you told me about it because I may have missed it while i was just admiring the variety of colours and shapes and textures in such a small space. You have such a great eye for detail. :)

    I hope you get many more years of living and designing. :)

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    1. Hello Darina,
      Thank you for your kind words :)
      Have wonderful day :)
      Stana

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