2-24-2020 Monday-noon

On the cusp today between morning and afternoon--LOL!

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Was a pretty quiet week.  Caroline came to clean Tuesday morning.  She's always a pleasure to see.  But poor Liam was coughing and running a temp on Tuesday so Leah stayed home to tend to sick boy, of course.  No craft nite.

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Wednesday I actually did drag out my slightly dusty bag I bought three decades ago to transport my treasured easel to class.

I set it up on the table by the window in the studio where I've been doing all my calligraphy lessons. 

It's handmade out of unfinished wood and plexiglass.  It would have cost me a good chunk more to have it made with finished wood so I opted for unfinished...but it still looks brand new after going on 30 years, doesn't it?!

Designed to hang down over the edge of the tabletop so that you are able to get up close and personal for calligraphy or artwork.  (BTW--that yellow rectangle is some reflection or another.)

I still adore my easel! 

This is how I traced over the Happy Birthday part of the lesson. 

The "procedure" came right back to me.  Taping the paper at the angle I needed (now I could use washi tape instead of masking tape we had pressed against our clothes over and over)...having to move the page gradually upward and retape ever line of two as I wrote...keeping something under my writing hand to prevent grease from transferring on to the paper (can't see it but I used a paper towel)...writing two-handed because you use your other hand to hold the paper down flat with the clean eraser end of a new pencil or the handle tip end of another nib holder...and sitting up straighter (could almost hear the soft but firm reprimands while I worked--LOL!). 

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I did much better on the first four that were traced than the last two of each word that were freehand.  I was writing larger--scrawlier--on my own--LOL!

Anyways, I plan to keep using the easel as it probably is a lot easier on my shoulders and back...and because I automatically take the classes more seriously.  ;)

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On Thursday night Leah came by late to cut my hair for me.  (I shall now look more decent for my appointments this week--thanks, Leah!)

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Friday Ian had the fever and was home from school, so no Gramma Day this weekend.

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Me--still dealing with sinus issues etc.  I truly believe that my various current health annoyances are due to oxalate dumping.  Since excess oxalate storage could be the cause of my fibro, arthritis, IBS, etc...this should all be worth it in the end.  Since I was in such absolutely dreadful shape with a swollen up leg...well, I started in a deep hole to climb out of.  Twenty years of going downhill is a deep hole.  Still feels like the right thing for me.  Some of us have problems with carbs and oxalates.

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Oddly enough, even though I am physically feeling pretty miserable most days, I am still getting more done than I would have before I went on low-low carbs and do feel less overwhelmed by normal tasks like doing laundry.  So I guess I do have a little more energy than I did.  Not much, but enough to be noticeable.  :)

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Anyways, today I finally go see another new rheumatologist for a checkup.  There's nothing really new on the knuckle/toe thing.  I was on the anti-inflammatory medication for two months and off the last two months with no noticeable big difference.  May even be less redness and swelling the past month or so.  Just glad I am not taking pills I don't need that didn't work for me.

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Tomorrow is another new PCP (personal care physician).  She's the one who also is an osteopath at another clinic.  Going to her for the blood pressure checkup on these new pills.  I hope I like her.  Still looking for a new primary physician.  She may be the one.  ;)

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So that's the few events of the past week and what's coming up this week so far--LOL!  Been sunny and warmer (near or above freezing) for a few days.  Whenever you hear dripping here you think spring...even if it is white out there--LOL!  

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I have collected chipmunk and squirrel videos for Annie in a folder on YouTube and she is one happy camper.  Been catching up on letters owed--finally.  ;)  Actually getting toward the end of the stack.  Whoohoo!  :)

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Leah will be picking me up in about an hour and dropping me off at the hospital clinic.  She has things to do so I am bringing a book with.  No choice as to time with the rheumatologist.  Took me two additional months to get in and had to take a new one again--LOL!  I hope she's as nice as the first one was.    

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  It's sunny and 26 F--nice!  Good day to be out and about.  I hope to hear both the boys are well by now.  Have a wonderful week!  :) :)

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"Look closely at the present you are constructing; it should look like the future you are dreaming."

Alice Walker