February 15, 2021 Monday--12:30pm

Well, well--it is already Monday again.  The week flew by.  I was admittedly watching pieces of the trial this past week (troubling and sad) so I never got into the studio except to make Valentine's cards for the boys (forgot to take pictures).

The Critter Cafe has been very busy with it being below zero all week.

The partridges and sparrows don't seem to mind finding seed around all the rabbit poop--LOL!

Here's one of the beautiful, large culprits leaving poop pellets all over the place.

I still seldom see them before it is dark, but there's a brave one or two who will show up because they are hungry and cold enough to come early.

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When Leah came over Tuesday night after dark there were jackrabbits all over out there--LOL!  She even saw the smaller cottontail!  Nice!  We didn't do much in the way of cards because we had so much to discuss.  But we tested out this big happy birthday die.

Which just barely fits on the front of a regular size card.

Will have to be cut and glued so carefully, but this is the plan for using up a bunch of odd colored papers on a set of birthday cards.  Will be very putsy but it is a pretty cool die, I think.

I don't know what I would do without my trusty folding cart and bin.  There was added yet another trash bag and a bag of frozen cat foods with this haul to the dumpster and garage.  (Yes, I made cat food again for Annie last week.)  I think it was only about -10F at the time I made this trip but that was plenty cold enough.  

I try to make as few trips as possible because of the cold and covid in the building.  In the bin were books for donations--packed to the brim.  I have been busy downsizing at least.

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I was debating and debating about whether to go to my next osteopath appointment since it's a follow-up and not essential, you know?  Then her nurse called and said we had to move the appointment.  So instead of going this coming Friday I have till March 26th to decide--LOL!  Awesome!

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While our bubble is okay I went over for a visit on Valentine's Day.  Got to hang out and see everybody.  The boys have a new show they were enthralled with...

...called NumberBlocks, I think.

There's also an AlphaBlocks, too.  Nice to have them learning while they watch something they enjoy.  

I was terrible this week at remembering to take pictures...obviously.  But we had a great time.  After the boys went to bed (and they both stayed up later because Ian doesn't have school today plus it being a fairly rare Gramma visit) Dagan, Leah, and I were talking till like 12:30am!  

Dagan and Leah want to pay for me to have an online consultation with Elliot Overton.  He specializes in helping people with chronic conditions like fibromyalgia with their health and diet.  He knows all about oxalates, supplements, keto, etc.   Leah and I have been following him on YouTube for quite a while.  I honestly get lost sometimes with the specifics of the scientific studies and the chemistry of it all--but he seems to know what he's talking about.

Anyways, it could take months to get an appointment for all we know, but I agreed.  Leah is going to set it up.  Leah thinks she can be on the video call, too.  I really would prefer that because when you suffer from fibro fog or brain fog I just don't think I would remember everything to tell him or everything he tells me--LOL!  I guess there are a couple of follow-up video calls included, too, and I will likely have to have bloodwork done.  There's a place in town you can get any tests done you want--in and out, I guess. 

Well, it can't hurt.  I am seeing gradual progress but it has been really slow--year and a half now.  I have been very happy to see any improvements...but Elliot may have suggestions for me to find a way to improve faster...never know?  I really don't have anything to lose.  I'll let you know when I know what's going on.  ;)  Wish me luck!  Might help.  I hadn't seen any improvements in my health for 20 long years--in fact, there'd been a constant gradual and definite decline until I changed my diet and started on some supplements...so who knows, right?  Think positive!

Oh, and--never fear--I will let my new osteopath, Dr. Kessler, know all about what I am doing when I do see her.

So that's what's going on my way.  Still freezing here...but the sun shines almost every day so that the patio lights seem to be working again--LOL!  I go out every few days and try to sweep the rabbit poop off my patio--whatever isn't frozen to the cement--LOL!  That's what makes the snowbank look extra poopy.  

I hope to get to the Wanderlust classes or cardmaking this week--take a break from hauling books around.  ;)  

Dagan and Leah go down to Minneapolis on Wednesday for his pacemaker adjustment.  Long trip--a good 8 hours in the car probably.  Predicted to be above zero (6F) finally, though.  Two week quarantine from our bubble after that exposure, of course.  But then at the end of the month Leah picks up Ian's homework and does the Costco inside trip--so we won't have an operable bubble again till mid-March.  I'll have lots of time to purge and play.  :)

Best to you and yours.  Stay safe and well...warm or cool, depending on where you live.  Life is a precious gift...no matter what is going on or how you feel or what hurdles you have to leap...a precious gift.  I shall forever cling to joy and hope.  How can I not?  ;)

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"There will be something, anguish or elation, that is peculiar to the day alone.  I rise from sleep and say: Hail to the morning!  Come down to me, my beautiful unknown."

Jessica Powers