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sarah norwood

The results are in…

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There is nothing physically wrong with me. But I don’t feel any better. So, the doctor today has placed me on a 2 or 3 week gluten-free diet, which should be interesting. I am researching what I can’t eat, and it’s alot of things that I love. Will be tricky but hopefully will help my symptoms and make me feel like a normal, functioning human… for once.

And, I got a job in Orillia… at Dan’s autoshop! It is just to fill a maternity leave, but I am excited nonetheless.

Now, I should sew… though I’m tired and itchy…

Attempt #2.

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Lace Underwire bra with black and white ruffled trim. Fits like a glove. This is very exciting.

Accidentally, I put the hook and eyes on the reverse to how they normall are… which makes getting in and out difficult, but the fit is worth it!!! There is always some small catch to my clothing…

Underwire Bra: A Success Story!

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I also made this bra this weekend.

It’s my first recent attempt at an underwire bra and this time it went great. I have to make two changes to the Kwik Sew Pattern that I used: The first change is adding elastic to the top, underarm of the cup and top of the band. The second is scooping the underarm down a bit lower, making the underwire casing a touch smaller, simply because I can’t find such long underwires.

This bra fits so good, and best of all, has no padding. Something I do not understand is why every bra from La Senza comes padded. D-Cups or larger do not require padding – God gave us all the padding we needed.

I’m so excited to sew a second of these then manipulate the pattern a bit. The whole process only took about 2 hours.

I am no longer a slave to La Senza…

Easter Weekend…

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Dan took me to Scouts Valley this morning for a walk with Oliver. It was such a beautiful day, flowers were starting to pop out from between the leaves, the birch trees were pale white and silver perfection, it was warm and sunny, and I didn’t want that walk to end.
I felt badly because I had gotten upset with Dan yesterday evening. I’m having a hard time containing my irritability; I see myself being mean, or jumping to conclusions, or being overly sensitive, I see myself do it – It’s the stopping myself that I’m having a hard time with. Instead of appreciating all of the changes he is making for me, and the accommodations he is making, I’m getting snappy… and I feel bad. It’s a stressful time, and I am lucky Dan is as patient and understanding of me as he is.

This weekend we started our “Oscar’s Best Picture Marathon!” We started right at year one: 1927, with Wings with Clara Bow and Gary Cooper. It was hard to get into at first, not being used to silent films, but by the end I barely noticed that no one was talking! I appreciated the simplicity of it, and the story was touching. Dan wasn’t able to find the next year’s film, so we’ll be watching All Quiet On the Western Front next, which I’m pretty excited about.

I was shocked to find myself actually close to tears in a silent film.

Morning Pug Runs and Farmville…

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I’ve taken up jogging with Oliver in the morning. I admit, you get a lot of looks when you jog with a pug.

It’s been really motivating. I’ve been having a hard time, emotionally, plugging away at my day to day life. I feel like I’m applying to jobs with no avail, not even a call back, I feel like I’m getting no feedback regarding my health – I’m not throwing up any more, but I am still experiencing massive chest and stomach pain, on 300mg of Zantac a day, with no alcohol, less coffee, and much healthier food. I feel like, “what’s the point?” I’m 26, work a stressful job, and now can’t even relax with a glass of wine on a Friday night.

Jogging is helping – my body aches, my things are burning, but I can feel my muscles, and I keep making myself get out there and run, despite the fact that I ache and burn. I keep going despite the pain, despite the fact that I’m not really running anywhere in particular. I just go, I keep going.

It’s Good Friday and I’m here in the city alone – I work tomorrow at the Drapery Factory. Monday is my Ultrasound and X-ray, which I am dreading fasting for, then Tuesday I have an “appointment” in Orillia that I am trying to not get too hopeful about, and next Friday I take my driver’s exam. A lot is going on, and I haven’t had a chance to sew anything lately. I guess that’s going on the back burner.

Today, clean, resumes, read that damn driver’s manual, and park with Oliver and hopefully a couple friends

Now with a little less blood…

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I’ve been having weird health concerns, as I stated in my last post. I made my way to a clinic yesterday. The Dr. said my symptoms were a bit of a mystery, but required further ‘investigation.’

So, I had blood taken yesterday, and with my stomach already slightly on puke-alert 24/7, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. I had about the same amount of blood drawn about a year and a bit ago and I was surprised by how little it hurt or effected me! This time, however, I felt like I had been totally drained, felt like my whole arm deflated. I hearkened back to Twilight.

In two weeks I have an ultrasound and x-ray. I’ve had more blood taken, and ultra sounds than a pregnant woman lately! OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I feel like the last two years have brought about quite a few medical mysteries.

The worst part about this whole thing is I have to start eliminating things from my diet. First to go is beer and Advil. I know for myself that I need to cut back on certain foods… I actually am not sure what I can eat that won’t make me sick. I hope they find out something soon and I can go back to my normal mode of living – beers on Saturday, McDonald’s on Friday, coffee in the morning. I feel slightly like a 45 year old with high cholesterol. I’m 26, I’m too young for this!

I will be happy when I no longer have searing stomach pain, and heart-attack-like chest pain… not to mention the vomiting! I suppose my health is worth the beer sacrifice…

Lately

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I throw up.

A lot.

Not in a bulemic way, but in a scary, “why do I throw up all the time? I’m not pregnant… I’m pretty sure…” way.

I just threw up. Now my mascara is running.

My molly fish has vanished, and I feel like a terrible person for it…

Two Nights, Two Dresses, One Bra.

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I received my vintage 1970’s lingerie pattern in the mail finally last Friday. Last night I got a chance to test out the pattern, and make a few tweeks. It’s a little pointy, but that’s how it’s supposed to be, and I kind of like it like that.

I now have a complete three piece set – the panties, camisole, and bra. I find this one, which has no stretch to it, a little tight on me. I’m going to make one in a jersey tonight, if I have time.

I did this as a bit of a test, so I used old bra fastenings and straps that I cut off an old bra (I have a lot of old bra’s just laying around). I kind of like the idea of recycling old hardware.


This week is going painfully slow. I’m getting more and more anxious to get up and go. The more I think about it, the more I realize I’m not getting any further ahead in my life by staying here. While I’m afraid of being out of work and struggling or being a burden on Dan or my family, I feel like it I’d basically be in the same position as I am now; I rely on them for quite a bit because my expenses in the city are so high. So… In order to make myself feel better, I’m going to play a game: “See how little you can spend!”

I know it sounds pretty boring… and down right awful, but if I’m going to be out of work, I want to have a bit of a nest egg set aside. So, on the menu for the next few weeks is dollar store pasta, microwave cake, and canned fruit. Mmm mmm… Let’s see how I do!

So, I’ve cut my cable, cut my going out expenses, stopped buying lunch, am going to sew my spring and summer wardrobe out of clearance only fabric (!), and will dollar store grocery shop. I feel like I’m back in college. But… my frugality will be worth it (I hope).

Head Tilt?

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I caught Oliver in a near perfect head tilt last night.

I finished sewing a little dress, which I should be getting into instead of doing this right now… but I don’t have my priorities straight.

This dress was a nightmare, by the end I had ripped out the zipper three times, never got the fit quite right, and burned a hole in the back with my iron. Oh well, some dresses just weren’t meant to be.

I’m still going to wear it though; I’m going to wear it out of spite.