My name is Martha. I would describe myself as a lot of things, often contradictory things. I am smart but have a hard time owning it and making my voice heard. I can talk to any stranger like I have known them for years but I have few friends. I am very open about my experiences but hold back on the subjects that matter most to me. I believe that most people are like that, a mess of contradictions that make it hard to answer the question, “Who am I?”.  Still, there are a few truths that get to the core of who I am and color every part of my life.

I am a mother and wife. I tend to be a bit overprotective, neurotic, and bossy to both my husband and son but it is all born from love and from being Dominican! My husband and  I have been together for over 20 years and married 13 years. Our son is 11 and starting puberty. I didn’t really expect to find someone who compliments me as well as Ron does and I’m eternally grateful. Ron and I have had our issues but we decided long ago that we would work it out and have had a lot of fun over the years.

I also suffer from serious health issues. I have severe asthma, allergies and PCOS. Those issues have molded me into the person I am today. I have found strength and determination that I would not have realized without my diseases. I have found that my symptoms are often easier to deal with than the ramifications of my limitations. Even just realizing that I cannot do what others can is a bitter pill to swallow. I have also realized that I like who I am and I would not be this version of myself without the experiences that I have had. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to wake up tomorrow with no health problems but I would not trade my past because I love my present.

I am crotchet, sew, knit, color and write. The asthma has limited my mobility and winter was very difficult while I was growing up. I did not sleep through the night from October to late May. I couldn’t play outside during lunch with the other kids or walk up a flight of stairs. I still have some of the same issues to a lesser degree and so for long periods of time I would be on my ass! I have vicariously lived many lives in between the pages of books since one of the few things I could do was read. I became a master at Duck Hunt and could peg a duck as far as the controller would let me go. At 16 I learned how to crotchet and that changed everything. I was the WORST at making anything but after years of practice I became really good at it. Crotchet lead to knitting, then sewing, coloring, and writing. I did any activity that would keep my mind and hands busy during the months of confinement. My issues are more controlled but I have grown to love my crafts.

I suspect that this blog will be mostly about family, overcoming illness and obstacles and crafts! I am doing this to help me process my life as it changes and hopefully to connect with others in similar situations.