Saturday 4 August 2012

Round and round...the Horizon

Things have been a little up and down here.  Before the end of term and in the middle of teaching a class of children I got a severe dizzy spell.  And then again a few days later, and again etc.  Every time I tried to drive even the shortest distance or travel in a car even as a passenger it set me off.  I had other viral infections too so the Dr suggested it could be labyrinthitis- That word takes me about 6 spelling attempts by the way!  And this is why I ended up buying this.
There is some logic somewhere.  I am in my fourth week of dizziness and although I feel generally fine and I am managing to work my reduced summer hours, fortunately I can walk to work- I can't go anywhere apart from on foot or a very brief car journey.    My concentration is not as good as a lot of effort is going into keeping myself upright and everything I do has to be a little slower.  I am lucky, many people with labyrinthitis cannot even sit up without tilting over. This is a staycation with the emphasis on stay.  I am a home bird but not getting away at all is a little bleak.  We have a break in Bath all booked and I am waiting to see if I can shake this off before I go cancelling the hotel.   We lost our other weekend away to the crazy weather a few weeks ago so I think a little madness and desperation must have crept into my brain.   I indulged myself with the old cliche of retail therapy and the sewing machine of my dreams: a Janome Horizon 7700 QCP.
I did wonder how she would fit on my little Singer table - there is a chopping board underneath  coverting the hole where a treadle machine once sat- but she was a surprisingly good fit.  I had some money saved and I am selling my Janome 5900QC Memory Craft, the model that precedes the Horizon I guess,  to help fund this one, I think I have somebody interested but I will let you know on the blog if she is available as she is a bargain and less than a year old.  The Horizon is incredibly heavy but once I had heaved her up on to the desk I was sewing in minutes- I have had a couple of Janomes so the interface is familiar.  So far she is as good as I imagined- I'll let you know how I find her but the stitches are beautiful and the motor practically purrs.  I have Laura Jane to thank for finding me a fantastic deal. Now please excuse me, I have an instructive DVD to watch!  Oh yes, and the Olympics too x
sib blog

57 comments:

  1. ahhhh, a thing of beauty! I hope you get better soon and manage to get away x

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  2. Hurrah for retail therapy - have you seen Leah Day's video tutorial? That has some handy tips too! Have fun. x

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  3. labyrinthitis is horrid, my friend had that once she couldn't move, at least you can get out.
    I love your new "toy"!
    Julie xxxxxx

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  4. I never thought I would love a machine more than my Pfaff. But, I lost my heart to the Horizon!
    Hope you feel much better soon.

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  5. So sorry you are not feeling well Kerry. Labyrinthitis sounds scary and like David Bowie should somehow be involved. I hope you'll be back with your feet firmly on the ground soon.
    Love the new machine one day when I grow up I want one of those too!!
    xx

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  6. That is retail therapy and a half!!!
    My mum had labyrinthitis way back when I was in school - she had to drive me in the middle of the night to school for a skiing trip - that was a scary drive! You'll be good soon - hope you don't have to cancel your trip xxx

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  7. Oh gosh, hope that you are on the mend soon! Glad you can at least manage some sewing in the meantime - and enjoy the new machine!

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  8. Labyrinthitis sucks! I hope it clears up quickly for you :-) ooo fab new machine, I'm getting so jealous of all these people with their new toys, I'm going to have to succumb myself soon :-)

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  9. Oh, get better real quick- your new machine is waiting for you! Spend your recovery time planning ....

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  10. Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. My dad has labyrinthitis, so I know how awful it can be. I hope this spell clears quickly :-)
    Love your new machine!

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  11. Dear Kerry, I'm so so happy for your new sewing machine! I think that's the best way to try to 'forget' difficulties and yours sound really awful. I think my hb's sister had the same and fortunately now she's fine. I hope you get well soon and can make your holiday trip. I wish I could buy your earlier sewing machine but I'm too far away and I'm worried to buy anything else than (stupid) singer because here is service only for that. Get well, you are in my thoughts! x Teje

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  12. That's a lovely new machine! Sorry to hear you aren't well, hope it clears up soon for you.

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  13. Congratulations on the exciting new machine purchase! I have a Janome too and love it...not this model though. I got the Memory Craft that came out before this one.

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  14. Very sorry to read you're not feeling well. I've check that machine out about a million times. I'm glad to read that it's living up to expectation.

    Get well soon!

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  15. Oh no...my friend's husband also recently diagnosed with the same ailment. Took Meclizine for the dizziness and Tylenol for inflammation and almost completely over it after 3 weeks. Hope you are feeling better soon. My Janome is only a year old, a Christmas present last year from my husband...I think my favorite gift of all time! Sewing cures all. Take care.

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  16. Poor you, laby-wotsit-itis sucks, the bad news is that once you have had it, you seem prone to it, husby has had it several times.
    I gave myself a pressy of the Horizon last year after having knee replacement surgery and I havnt even unpacked the foot pedal, the stop/go switch makes sewing so easy - I love it - hope you enjoy yours and make a quick recovery. xx

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  17. Sorry about the inner ear thing ~ what a pain to be dizzy ~ sounds like you're handling it well tho (what with buying a new sewing machine and all).
    I have a Janome Horizon too. It's a great machine, enjoy and hope you're in the pink in no time!

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  18. Sorry to hear that you're feeling poorly, so hope you do manage to get to Bath. it's a wonderful place to spend a weekend, or even longer. And what a perfect thing to buy yourself to help with the cheering up process. have fun with it.

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  19. Retail therapy at it's best! I've had my Horizon for a year and still can't get over how wonderful it is. I actually thought the DVD sucked! Hope you are on the mend and can make your vacation plans happen.

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  20. Hope you will get better soon! And congrats on a new machine. I also bought me JH 7700 3 weeks ago, but didn't have time yet to learn to use it or even show it on the blog(my old machine didn't have a computer, so I have to learn the basics first).

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  21. awck - so jealous! enjoy!!

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  22. I'm so sorry you're not well - I hope you get better soon so you can fully enjoy stitching on your new machine. Take care xx

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  23. Nice huh, that inner ear thing? It will get better, I know it doesn't seem like it now, but it will. It's like being extremely drunk, without the fun....It took me two years, with the first months not being able to move at all. It kept coming back. Now I've been almost free of it for six months (YAY). Hope you feel better soon! Enjoy your machine in the meantime. When you get better you'll have so much catching up to do (and really, really enjoy it) that you won't have time left!

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  24. I find it kind of funny that you have a dizzying illness and chose a machine called Horizon. I know there is a joke in there somewhere....hope you feel better soon!

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  25. Hope it gets better soon. The horizon is sure to help.

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  26. Gosh....I hope you feel better soon. That would be awful. I love the gift you bought yourself to feel better though.

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  27. Bummer that you are dealing with this! Hope it clears soon AND congrats on the new machine - very cool.

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  28. Hope you feel better soon!! Love your new sewing machine! Hope it makes you feel better faster! Thinking of you....

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  29. I hope that you're feel right again soon, Kerry. Congratulations on your new sewing mate!

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  30. Great choice of machine.
    Hope you get over the labyrinthitis soon.

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  31. This sounds terrible. I don't know if it is the same as vertigo, but I have had that and it is not fun! Take care and I hope you feel better so you can enjoy your holiday.
    I am starting to have second thoughts on buying the Bernina 820 instead of the Janome. I hear great things about that machine you have there!

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  32. Oh no, I hope you feel better soon! In the meantime, enjoy that new machine! I bought mine a few weeks ago and so far I am IN LOVE!

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  33. OH kerry,
    So sorry to hear about the L! I hope you feel better soon.
    Good for your for the purchase - I'm sure it will make you feel better! Sewing is often the best therapy!
    xo
    Charise

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  34. Sorry to hear you are unwell .... hope you feel better soon ... love your new machine ... wishing you many happy hours sewing with it ... Bee x

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  35. Yep, that definitely sounds like a good reason to get a new sewing machine - especially THAT one! I like the cut of your jib. :-)

    Feel better - it certainly doesn't sound like fun and I hope it passes very quickly for you.

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  36. Yay, what a perfect get well purchase, you certainly deserve it! Hope it is lots of fun and you are on the mend soon. I would SO love your old machine, I wonder if it isn't sold whether I can get enough together for it? off to shake the sofa and hubbys trousers for loose chamge ;-)

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  37. Hmm, many things have struck me when I've had labyrinthitis, but retail therapy hasn't been one of those things lol Still, enjoy your new toy, and hope you get to Bath!

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  38. There's nothing wrong with a little retail therapy :) I actually started quilting a few months ago because I've been off sick since February and was very, very bored. Thankfully I'm on the mend now and I have an addictive new hobby, to boot! I hope your vertigo clears up soon and your new machine keeps you from being too miserable.

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  39. What a lovely machine! I've been getting labyrinthitis for a few years now and it's awful. For me, it usually it just suddenly disappears, hope it vanishes quickly for you

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  40. Hope you're feeling better soon...love the new machine. ;p

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  41. Oh Kerry - I do hope you're feeling better soon. It's such a disconcerting thing when your head gets all woozy and uncooperative. Please keep us all posted ~ especially about the new machine! What a lovely treat!

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  42. We do tend to take our health for granted and then get sidelined by something to make us appreciate what we have. I am hoping that your doctor has a good treatment plan and that your vestibular system can get itself repaired sooner rather than later. Don t overdo the time when you feel good, especially sewing on a new machine.

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  43. Sorry to hear that you have not been well . Hope it doesn't last long and that you can return to normality soon ....and that you can go on holiday . I'm sure you will enjoy your new machine and that it will be sufficient distraction for you . Have fun . Get better soon ! X

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  44. Poor you :-( I had that a couple of years ago and it lasted around 6 weeks. Gorgeous machine and I wish you good health to use it. Get better soon and hope you get to go to Bath:-)

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  45. I wish you to get well very very soon!!!!!!
    and in the meantime...enjoy your new awesome sewing machine!!!!!
    all the best Kerry!!!!!
    Love, Dany

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  46. Get well - that sounds horrid! I love my new Horizon! Retail therapy is great - can't wait to see all your new creations!

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  47. Get well - that sounds horrid! I love my new Horizon! Retail therapy is great - can't wait to see all your new creations!

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  48. Congrats on the new machine - it looks fabulous. So sorry that you have been feeling poorly - I had dizzy spells last year for similar reasons, and it was really scary (especially when driving obviously - I had an awful experience on the motorway), so I know how you feel. I hope it passes very quickly for you - I found lots of rest and relaxation to be absolutely the best thing. Take care of yourself. xxx

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  49. I hope you feel better soon Kerry! that sucks so much. Glad you could make it a little better by getting a new machine. :) looks awesome

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  50. Hope you will feel better soon. Keeping my fingers crossed for your holiday, and in the meantime it's great that you have the new sewing machine to enjoy.

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  51. Up until this year I had never heard of labryynthitus but then my older daughter was diagnosed with it (the week before a skiing trip!). Once dose of anti biotics and it had cleared up within a week but left her feeling quiet tired for a few weeks afterwards. Quite a few people have since told me they or someone they know has had it so I thinkit is more common than we like to think. Hope it clears up soon.

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  52. What an awesome gift to have a new machine like that . I have been going to Anna Marias page http://www.annamariahorner.com/janome_me.html just to see her Horizon 7700 qcp sew , It is so awesome. Im saving my bucks for it ..Good luck. IzzyR

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  53. Yucky feeling but it does get better! Just move your head slowly on all plains and it is easier. Getting up in the morning or out of a bath seemed worst to me. Driving was certainly scary at first - just take it slow!

    Hope you are over the worst!

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  54. Congrats on the new machine! I'm sorry to hear you have come down with such an annoying yucky virus. I have never heard of it before! I had horrible arthritis and swelling in my ankles and chronic fatigue for 6 months to the point of not being able to walk. Turns out it was a dairy sensitivity! I really hope you feel better soon. It's no fun feeling decrepit! Big Hugs, Laurraine

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  55. That's awful, Kerry! I hope it's as temporary as can be. I had never heard of labyrinthitis before; is there any explanation as to what causes it? I'd tell you not to let it get you down, but clearly you know how to take care of yourself -- a big dose of Janome!

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  56. is your dizziness getting any better? have you been able to go on holiday? i've been thinking of you a lot lately. i really hope something has improved for you.
    and, your machine is beautiful. does she have a name yet?

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