The best Mom....

Okay, I'll admit it, I have a wonderful Mom. For my 40th, she made me the most beautiful quilt. It was made out of my favorite colors, especially purple, from my favorite fabrics: batik, and you can learn more about it HERE. Although I don't quilt, I have always loved the vibrant colors of batik fabric. Mom has been quilting for about 20 years now, and her projects always turn out amazing. The only thing she doesn't have is a long-arm quilting machine, so she always has someone else do the machine quilting at the end. I am so proud of the work she does.


A few years ago, I tried to help her clean out some of her stash, and like a true quilter, every piece of fabric was one she loved. She could tell me why she loved each piece, and what she planned to do with it someday. Anyway, it doesn't matter how much fabric she has if she continues doing fabulous quilts like mine!

Despite the fact that other things happened to make my birthday not the greatest, my friends and family have made up for it. My co-workers bought me lunch and made me a GLUTEN FREE dessert since I have CELIAC DISEASE. My mother-in-law made supper and brought it to our house since Madi was still sick on the weekend, and my parents took Madi and I out for supper with my sister and my grandma. All in all, it makes me thankful for all the love of those around me. Hope you have people in your life to do the same for you.

Thanks for visiting!
Karine

Celiacs Unite!

I have Celiac Disease.

I was dianosed in June of 2005 after my Mom insisted that I be tested. Both my Mom and sister were diagnosed in their 30's, and then so was I. I don't have the classic symptoms, but I've had headaches at least since I was 12 or 13. All those specialists then didn't make the connection that the headaches were because of my disease.

Last weekend, Mom and I went to the Celiac Conference in Calgary since I had never been. The speakers were terrific and I learned alot. This disease is manageable if I stay away from gluten, which to outsiders may seem life a tragedy. Gluten is in so many things that you would never guess, like toothpaste, vitamins, soy sauce, licorice, taco chips and certain chocolate bars. It's so important to read labels and ask lots of questions. But, I'm happy to say that I feel well most of the time. I have donated blood since I started university, and was disappointed when my iron became too low to keep donating. This has gone back to normal since I have been on the diet.

To read more information, check out the website: http://www.calgaryceliac.com/
Amazingly, 1 in 100 Canadians have Celiac Disease, and the majority don't realize it. If you have certain unexplainable health problems, perhaps you should consider this disease. Having a manageable autoimmune disorder is not a bad thing!