Monday, March 29, 2021

March 29, 2021 Monday--10:30am

Good morning!
Well, comparitively speaking, it is quite good today.   Been a long, sleepy week.  Many pajama days.  I was visiting blogs but didn't always drop in to comment.  Just too tired and achy.  Still am, but less so every day.  You know I was exhausted when I was too tired to have a video call with McFamily on my birthday yesterday.  They sent a video of them singing Happy Birthday, though.  Liam couldn't figure out why he couldn't see me--LOL!  What a different world they are growing up in, eh?  LOL!
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I don't normally take pictures of the cards I get...and I hope this was all of them.  I may have missed one or two because I just dug these out of the stacks on my desk.  If I missed yours--sorry--it is there somewhere--LOL!  I am not as organized as you think.  ;) 
Obviously it is time to go through my mail desk thoroughly and set up reply letters in the padfolios.  Those of you who have been around a while know how I use those.  ;)
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I even got a St. Patrick's Day card and recently a Happy Easter card!  And I got a couple of Amazon e-gift cards, too, from international friends!  (And I optimistically ordered a new five-year diary--LOL!)
I absolutely love getting snail mail!  I guess technically I am an old lady shut-in, you know--LOL!
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But the crummy news this past week is that people on SS and disability who don't or can't work and are living solely on SS so they don't file taxes on that meager income...haven't gotten their relief checks...even if they have automatic deposit and did get the checks no problem the last two times.  Someone over at SS messed up this time, apparently.  At least that's all I can find out online.
So, I am still waiting...despite having automatic deposit...and some places say the auto checks have already gone out.  Have to wait and see if I get it this week.  Anyone else not get theirs who has the banking set up?
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Tuesday I saw my first grackle on the patio.  Spring is here.
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I thought I would have made a trip to the garage to bring in the jewlery to go through and take pictures of Grandpa's desk...well, you know how my week went--LOL!  But I had brought Mom's wall art in that day so I can show you that.  Does anyone know for sure what this is called?

Such tiny detailed work! The super thin pink ribbon and minascule pearl beads sewn in, too.
I remember she took a tatting class down in Florida so I was thinking this might be tatting.  But it looks like lace.
Tiny, tiny stitches.  She made all these ribbons, too, I believe.  At least the two with the thin pink ribbons woven through, for sure.  Mom did all kinds of needlework so she could have likely made the red and green ones, too, because she had learned needlepoint.  She was always very talented with anything she tried.  She'd tackle something new, do it excellently, and then get bored with it...never to return...on to the next thing.  Drove my dad crazy--LOL!  Maily because she bought up all the best supplies each time and then they sat to become "covered in dust", dad would grumble.  She'd give a lot of stuff away.  The only thing she held on to was her sewing machine (after she learned tailoring) because it could be used for repairs forever...which were reluctantly seen to.  I learned to sew on her fancy Singer later for HomeEc in high school.  
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Actually she gave me her fancy serger sewing machine when she moved back to Minnesota.  Blaine brought up the instruction book when he brought the desk! (Thank goodness--man, that thing looks complicated!)  Another thing she learned and used for a short time, I believe, while they were living down in Florida.
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I am just like my mother in that I have a variety of interests and love learning new things.  I have been the most consistent with letter writing since I was nine (why I bought my first rubber stamps); calligraphy (dabbled here and there since my teens);   cardmaking since I was in my late 30s; and watercolors since my early 40s.  I have had more practical interests that have come and gone--like because of being plant happy for years--ceramics (cost was to go to the shop nearby--mostly made pots for all my plants) and macrame (when I had room for tons of hanging plants--even made trellises for morning glories once)...but those didn't need much for supplies.  I built Dagan's stackable cube and rectangle shelves for his toys when he was a little guy.  But I had my brother saw the pieces for me because he had the tools.  I owned a hammer and nails...and bought small tins of bright colored paints and a cheap brush.  
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When I think about it, I have tried quite a few things over the years.  In the last 21 years (since I moved up here to Fargo/Moorhead) I have tried some new things and spent more money on supplies--handmade paper, bookbinding, polymer clay, beading...I know there are more I can't think of right now.  I am really a paper crafts girl.  I will always go back to making paper and journals...even if it is years apart due to my health issues.  Polymer clay will definitely come back into play with the two little boys in the family.  Leah and I were just talking about the beading supplies--which are at her place.  Even though that one was more Leah's interest at first than mine (and she is more talented at it) and we don't wear jewelry anymore because we rarely leave home--LOL!--I liked making bookmarks and sometimes adding things to cards with them...just hate to get rid of the beading supplies...
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This is why it is so hard for me to downsize.  But if I had to choose -- I suppose the beading is lowest on the list for me.  Polymer clay isn't that much of an interest but I know it is something we will do with the boys.  But for sure--never parting with--all the papermaking and bookbinding supplies--whoohoo!!  And I am hoping to be feeling better now the rest of this year (once I get past the residual shot flare) so I can play with those supplies again!  I was starting to have more energy before I got the shots...so I am hoping I will get back there again, right?  Thinking positive!
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Talk about rambling.  How did that start...oh yes...I am like my mother in a lot of ways.  I do buy up a lot of the supplies (like some additional ones for the mixed media recently) just like my mom--LOL!  But I do tend to go back to projects/hobbies over the years.  I do tend to be quite practical about my interests.  Tend to want to be able to use what I make.  Even the mixed media journaling--if I happen to end up with something I really like--I make copies and they end up on the front of cards--LOL!  I learned bookbinding so I could make my own art journals.  Papermaking to use the handmade paper in cardmaking.  Even the watercoloring was something I planned to use on cards.  Can you tell my main love is writing--since I was nine?  My favorite hobbies have to do with things I can use for cards or letters--LOL! 
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Anyways, let's climb out of that rabbit hole...
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 Maintenance came around to check all our intercoms because couldn't open the door for people and buzzing when you tried to listen or talk (but I've had the buzzing/static the whole five years I've lived here--LOL!).  I happened to be washing clothes and saw this...right before they showed up.
So, he came by on Thursday to check out my washing machine.  I didn't realize washers have an overflow tube.  He ran the washer with the front off and no leaking.  Asked me if I had clothes I could wash--yes--and he'd stop back before he left work to find out if it leaked for me.  Didn't leak.  But he said he couldn't find anything wrong with the washer otherwise so if it leaked that little bit right into the drain again there shouldn't be anything to worry about...but he was still going to research why that would start up after five years of use.  He's really a nice guy.  Even if his mask falls down 90% of the time under his nose--LOL!
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Had a video call with Leah Thursday night.  Friday she delivered Costco groceries in the parking lot.  Saturday I pushed myself to do some cooking.  Also pushed myself to do something in the studio last week.  Been watching all these art videos and getting inspired...but I should know better than to try to do stuff when I am feeling weak and can't think straight because of brain fog--ROFL!
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The next tiny page in the AP journal had the prompt of tea time.  Sadly, this took me three days to do.  First I packed a small jar with hibiscus tea leaves, added a little water, and left them to soak overnight.
Removed the leaves, used a big brush and covered the page with the tea water.
A couple of things happened.  A huge splotch of tea water seeped around on to the all-white page I had done previously.  So, I just decided to cover that whole page with the tea water...and I like it even better this way!  Funny how different the color looks on top of the medium on this page.
The waxed paper I had sandwiched between the pages while they dried left ripply marks all over the page.  Oh well--gave it texture.
Brain pretty blank--just took a glass dip pen and used the tea water to draw a teapot and tea cup.
That was it for me.  Just that was exhausting--LOL!
I could do something else to it, I suppose...but it is just a for fun journal and this entire page is done with hibicus tea only.  So I think I am fine with leaving it and going on to the next prompt.  I need to get back to the Wanderlust classes.  They are more invloved in a larger journal and I haven't felt up to them yet.  Ha!  I could barely pull off this little prompt journal page where we're supposed to do them fast and not care how they look.  Well, I worked slow and don't care how it looks--ROFL!  Close enough.
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Suddenly today we are supposed to get up to 71 degrees!  I have the patio door half open again (which caused Annie to race around the apartment like a wild kitten--never know she was 15).  Soon I'll be able to open it completely, I think, if it's not too windy in my direction.  There's both a wind advisory and fire watch today.  Anywho--Annie was parked to the right of the table here in the kitchen doing her from afar bird spying.  When I got up to get a picture she just kept looking at my legs to see which way I was going to walk--LOL!  Annie lives in fear of being stepped on (or possibly kicked in her former young life).  Since I upset her with my standing mysteriously by the table...
...she moved to a safer spy spot with some sunshine.
She always pays attention to where I am at any given moment.  That's why she usually loves me--I am slow moving and quite stationary--ROFL!
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Annie was happy with my week of dozing off for multiple naps and still sleeping 10-11 hours (we're talking crazy tired).  I am able to stay awake longer--take less naps--well, the past couple days, anyways.  That's all okay with me.  Weird reactions because of the combo of the shot plus my fibro/CF--I can wait it out with Annie purring next to me and good shows to watch.  I binge watched season one of Homecoming on Prime.  Started season two--didn't realize Julia Roberts isn't in the second season.  One of those shows that changes characters quite a bit from season to season, I guess.  (Which reminds me--wonder if they will have another season of Fargo?)
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I'm just so grateful to have both the shots behind me now.  Can you imagine if I had such reactions to the shots how bad off I would have been if I had gotten covid without them?!  Leah says it proves why she has always thought I was the highest risk person in the family.  I suppose so.  Dagan had no reaction to the first shot--not even a sore arm.  Leah had a little bit of a sore arm.  That's it.  Makes me so happy!  Dagan goes back on April 1st and Leah on the 13th.  So by the 27th we will all three be fully vaccinated!!!
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It is less stress, that's for sure.  Yesterday the guy across the hall wanted me to check my mailbox because it said online he had a package delivered but he hadn't gotten it--and once he had gotten a package of mine.  So I went down to look...there were two packages on one of the carts in the corner.  He hadn't looked around, I guess--duh!  LOL!  Anyways, a lady was waiting for a ride (she's one who got hospitalized for covid last fall and is still dragging herself around and looks so tired), and another lady came through and went right out the door.  Out of the four of us I was the only one wearing a mask.  I have noticed that recently masks have become a rare sight again here...like they were for the majority of 2020.  Despite management putting up signs in multiple places that we are supposed to wear masks.  Someone keeps tearing them down.
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Yah--I feel safer knowing I am vaccinated (fully vaccinated on the first!) when the maintenance man has his mask falling down below his nose and the people here don't wear masks at all.  It's a relief somewhere down deep inside...hard to put into words.  Best birthday present ever!!!!
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So, that's it for this week.  A sunny, warm day today.  Tuesday and Wednesday we are supposed to be right back down in the mid-30s for highs--just above freezing.  Spring is usually quite the fickle tease--LOL!  Today I see people outside without jackets and have seen people in shorts.  People get quite excited about warmer weather up here.  And tomorrow they'll need a parka--LOL!
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Take care!  Be safe!
Enjoy the heck out of your day.  :)
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"I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the seagulls and other birds as they glide on the wind.  As long as this exists...and I may live to see it, this sunshine, these cloudless skies, while this lasts I canot be unhappy."
Anne Frank

Monday, March 22, 2021

March 22, 2021 Monday--8:30am

Good morning.  

I know it is morning because the sun is shining today. 

Blogger is messing with my paragraph spacing today so I would imagine it will also randomly change my font size like it has been, too.  I am too tired and sore to care, to be honest. 

Monday we had sleet and little snow.

Tuesday my brother, Blaine, his younger son (Ryan), and Ryan's older son (Asher) dropped off Grandpa's desk, my mom's framed tatting (?), and a box with Mom's jewelery for me to go through to see if there's anything I want.  When I've gone through it then it will turn into a fun thing for the great-granddaughters to play with.  Most of it is costume jewelery.  We spent about an hour and a half in my garage with masks.  I wasn't feeling that great and didn't spend enough time talking with Ryan and Asher.  I'd never met Asher (11) and hadn't seen Ryan since he helped me move up here with his dad in 1999 when he was still in high school.  But it was so nice to see them.

Thursday night Leah came and we worked on Elliot's form till late again and she cut my hair for me.  Leah is getting her first shot on Tuesday--tomorrow! And Dagan didn't have any problems at all with his first shot.  

Friday...

...second shot for me.

 
A lot busier than last time...
...but I was still in and out pretty quickly.
By 10pm I had the chills so bad that I started shaking and couldn't stop--for an hour and forty minutes.  Then I fell right to sleep for 12 hours and 45 minutes.  Spent most of Saturday still napping off and on.  Ached like crazy all over.  Hot and cold.  Bad headache.  Was awake most of Saturday night watching Waking The Dead till morning.  Slept half of Sunday...but still slept last night from 12-7:30am.  Talk about tired!  Finished Waking The Dead yesterday.  (Binge watched all last week.)

Still have the headache, body pain, and exhaustion--but it seems maybe better this morning.  Can't say I've had a normal reaction, but I am so glad to have gotten both my shots.  I expect to feel better as the week goes on.  Maybe I'll feel decent in a week...happy birthday to me!  

On the 28th I'll be 70 years old.  I don't usually pay attention to birthdays but this feels like one of note, you know?  Noticed last week I have old-lady-hands.  I still don't have grey hair, but that's genetic and it will come.  What a long life I have led already.  I think with my mom dying and then turning 70...just been contemplative about my life lately.  But way too tired and sore to reminisce at the moment.  I have transferred many of the life stories I've written into my other blog.  

I started that blog because a few people complained they couldn't find my stories in this blog easily because I don't tag anything or something like that.  I see I totally forgot I was going to have weekly videos answering questions from a list I found online...only lasted two weeks--ROFL!  That was years ago now--LOL!  Maybe I should try to continue on with that?  I wonder where that list went?  Maybe when I feel better.  If I ever do--LOL!

Meanwhile--partridges are here.  
Not as often now that the snow is gone again and it has been warmer.  Going through much less seed and that's nice.  Won't be long and I will wean away the seed and put out the water dish and the partridges won't be seen much at all until fall.  Spring keeps trying to show up.

I should be feeling lots better by next Monday.  I hope Leah has an easy time with her vaccine like Dagan did.  Hope you all do, for that matter--lol!  Myself...I think I need another nap.  

Monday, March 15, 2021

March 15, 2021 Monday--6am

Good morning!
Very early morning for me, isn't it?!  That's because I haven't been to bed yet because of falling asleep for a long nap yesterday so I thought I may as well write the blog now while I am still awake--LOL!
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Been a lot of partridge watching this week.
They've been pairing off now that spring fever has hit them.
There's been a lot of territorial squabbling and chasing about.  At least I did get some pictures.
We had 64 degree weather on Tuesday and by Wednesday morning it was 30 degrees when I looked.  That blustery night there were several inches of snow when I went to bed.  This was the start of it.  As soon as they see flakes the birds come to chow down.
By midmorning on Thursday this was all that was left!  
Annie couldn't believe it.  We'd just had the door wide open all day for a few days.
We were down to puddles and softening snow banks in no time.
All gone again now.
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Managed to push through the fibro/CF flare to get some more done.  Did laundry, make soup so thick it's more like stew, Cuisinarted 32 containers of Annie's raw liver, hauled out trash, swept the patio a couple of times, and sent several letters off.  So I did get some things done, anyways.  With me--I have no idea if the flare has anything to do with the shot at all because I get hit with flares on a regular basis.  I guess I may find out after the second shot on Friday, eh?  
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I was feeling so cruddy after I got the shot that I was too tired to set up my pills--just took my BP pill--for 3 or 4 days and I also wasn't eating much at all.  Now I take extra turmeric (high in oxalates) and eat some foods with oxalates to prevent my body from going wild with the dumping, right?  Never thought about that--duh!  So my sinuses ran and head plugged up; eyes were watery and grainy and crusty; IBS issues; and next thing I knew...blood in the urine again.  *sigh*
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So I made the soup, ate nuts & chocolate, drank almond milk, and took extra turmeric.  Had blood again one more time (Friday) but none since then.  Knock on wood.  Been taking it easy and eating lots of the bean/potato/beef/carrot stew.  ;)  Am dumping less but still am.  Was dumping before I got the shot, BTW.  It can be a cyclical process for a lot of people but I have never noticed a consistent pattern.  Always dumping but sometimes it's noticeably worse.
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Leah came over on Thursday night.  We got a later start because she and the boys had brought Dagan to get his first covid shot!  They waited in the car for him.  His was Pfizer.  Soooo happy he is getting vaccinated!  Anyways, Leah and I spent a lot of time going through the form to fill out for Elliot Overton.  Long and very detailed so we only got about halfway done.  Leah is typing while I try to look through my journals to find answers--LOL!
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It is not easy to remember things when you have spent two decades deliberately not paying attention to your body to purposefully and quite pointedly ignore the neverending pain, you know?  This past year or so I am trying to learn to pay attention and it is not easy.  Ignoring my body has helped me survive, you know?  So sometimes Leah remembers more than I do or I have sometimes written down things I have forgotten in my journal.  I really want to give Elliot as complete a picture as I can since he is known for being able to help people with fibro and other chronic issues who don't react like most people do and often have issues with oxalates, etc.  
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Leah is coming back on Thursday and we will finish the online form.  We need to because Friday I get the second shot and could possibly be out of commision for a week or two for all I know.  I am going to make sure this time I have my pills all set up for a week and I have some more soup made--LOL!  No skipping my oxalate mitigating this time.  Leah even said she could cook something for me and drop it off, too.  :)
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Friday was also a year since we went into quarantine.  I can't remember exactly when we started our cautious bubbling but I think it was late summer or early fall when we heard about covid  bubbles.  If Leah gets fully vaccinated, too, then we can quarantine a lot less--whoohoo!  And maybe Ian can go to first grade and Liam can start preschool in the fall.  That would be something.  
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I wasn't up to the visit with McFamily today.  :(  But by April 1st I will be fully vaccinated and will definitely be over for a good long visit!
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Meanwhile, Blaine and Kathy (brother and SIL) are planning to drop off Grandpa's desk and Mom's wall art on Tuesday.  I will meet them in the garage and we will wear masks and socially distance out there.  It will sure be nice when we are all fully vaccinated and can have a regular old visit around the table over at Dagan and Leah's gabbing till late in the evening like in the before times.  Will be nice to see them for a while regardless.
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I did get in the studio last week for a little bit!  I worked in the AP (Advent Prompt) journal.  (Yes, that's how slow I am--ROLF!)
The prompt was white on white. So I got out all the fancy white papers I have with texture on them.

Used medium to glue down pieces of them...and that's as far as I got.
But--it absolutely, positively is "white on white"...so I may just leave it at that and move on.  Does it really matter?  Right?  ;)
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I heard two ladies talking in the entryway when I came back in from a trip to the dumpster...comparing how bad they still feel.  They had both ended up in the hospital.  So it sounded like two more people from my building may have had covid.  I didn't stop to ask.  As they were deep in commiseration, I just passed on through.  But that could be four people I know of who have had covid...just in my building!  And I've seen an ambulance twice down at the third building...and how often am I even outside?!  (There are three buildings connected together in our complex and they aren't huge.)  And I have been avoiding running into anyone in the hallways as much as humanly possible for a year--and yet I've have heard of possibly four just in my building!  We seniors are quite vulnerable, I guess.  (Especially if you don't wear masks--as most of them didn't for a very long time.)  
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Well, I am relieved that both Dagan and I are on our way to being fully vaccinated.  Much more relieved even after the first shot than I had expected.  You don't realize how that dread is hanging over you until it might not be anymore.  Now Leah has to get hers.  Sounds like they should be stepping up the process.  I hope that works as they think it will.  
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Okay--I will post on Monday.  Even if I feel like crap I will at least let you know I am alive and kicking...or potatoing in my comfy chair--LOL!  But right now...I am going to sleep...hopefully well and long...Zzzzz....
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"For myself; I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else."
Winston Churchill

Monday, March 08, 2021

March 8, 2021 Monday--1:30pm

Good afternoon!
I think the vaccine triggered my fibro CF.  Been draggy and tired all week.  Not physically feeling any worse than usual, just feels like I am in one of the fibro noodle/no spoons flares.  I can manage to get some things done, though.  Cooked, baked, brought out trash, and swept the patio.  My packages came from Amazon for March so I did reorganize by the kitchen sink and finally dumped the 40# of seed and the new 40# of kitty litter into the bins in the pantry.  
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I decided to reorganize around the sink since I will be cleaning up paint and various art messiness all year.  I've wanted to have something else besides a glass jar for my scrub brushes for a long time.  Always afraid I'd knock it into the sink and the glass would break.  I use my scotch brite pads all the time, but now had added the jar of brush cleaner and the green bar of soap made to clean paint off hands...
...dish soap and hand soap were always getting caught in the towel.

So--after loving the OXO spinning caddy for my paint brushes in the studio...I ordered a non-spinning OXO holder for all my scrub brushes and toothbrushes I use to clean stamps and such.  Moved the dish soap and hand soap so they won't be getting on my towel anymore...
...and bought a side-of-the-sink holder for my scrubbies.  My scotch brite pad has it's own spot now and all the art cleaning stuff is in the corner.  I bought a Tim Holtz light blue oval scrubber for your hands.  Always wanted to try it.
So, it is quite crowded, but organized.  When you live alone you can keep out stuff you use all the time and there's no one to complain about it--LOL!  Funny how when I get in the purging and reorganizing mood it kind of jumps all over the apartment.  This did nothing to help with purging, though--ROFL!  Just making my life easier.
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Since I have been in very low gear since the shot I decided to postpone Dr. Kessler's appointment.  Part of self-care this year.  Take away unnecessary stress.  The earliest I could get in (because she only does the osteopath appointments on Fridays) was May 21st--Leah's birthday.  But Leah said it was okay.  So now if I am in jammies for a week or even two it won't matter at all.  Whoohoo!
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The other project I worked my way through this last week was finally getting over to my desk to set up letters.  I apologize to my pen pal friends.  I have been piling letters over there...well...some since Mom died.  Then the shot set me back...good grief!  I had fifteen letters set up in the padfolios by the time I finished!  I only have 14 padfolios so one was stuck into a bulldog clip.
I address the envelopes and pick out paper, etc, for each one.  That's my system.
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But this is how slow I am still moving...only got two letters finished all weekend.
Can't help it.  I take my time to give everyone attention due, you know?  Just extra slow responding recently--sorry.  Life goes that way sometimes.  I may be slow but I am a faithful paper chatter.  ;)
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When I barely have enough spoons for regular stuff (haven't done laundry still)--I miss extra spoon time.  My spot in the studio waits patiently for my return.
It has been so warm that the snow is all gone!
Even the dirty snowbanks have disappeared.
It is 56 degrees right now!  The screen door is wide open.  Annie has joined me on her chair next to me at the table but she keeps sniffing the air coming in from the wilds of the outside world.
She'll probably settle down and nap...
...but spring is an exciting time.  :)
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Today Leah is coming (soon) with a Cashwise grocery delivery.  I'll meet her in the parking lot after I make a trip to the dumpster.  By Thursday we will be out of quarantine again and Leah can come over that night.  Not sure we will get to any cards or anything because she has computer stuff to help me with, but we'll see.  Depends on how early she can get away.
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On Sunday I plan to make a Grandma visit to their house for the day!  So I have a feeling this week will fly by, too.  Supposed to get up to 65 tomorrow and then chance of snow for a couple days after that.  Springtime in the north--LOL!
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I finished Bordertown, Bridgerton, Shameless (season 10), and am on season 7 (out of 9) on Waking The Dead.  I plan to watch Coming To America again and the new Coming 2 America on Prime this week sometime.  So much to watch these days!  I could never watch everything I would like to.  But I love it when people say what they've been watching, regardless.  I keep adding to my watchlists--LOL!  When I have fibro/arthritis/chronic fatigue flares--then that's my opportunity to watch a bit more than usual.  And those happen fairly often so having fun/interesting things to watch is such a blessing.
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Well, until next time...stay safe and well.  :) :)
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"With gratitude, optimism becomes sustainable."

Michael J. Fox


Monday, March 01, 2021

March 1, 2021 Monday--1:45pm

Good afternoon!

This past week slipped by rather quickly.  I didn't feel mostly back to normal till Thursday...and then was exhausted from feeling "sick" for six days so rested up for a couple more days--LOL!  That's normal for me, though.

Did find out online that having a strong reaction to the vaccine is a really positive thing.  That means my immune system is better than I thought it was!  Hurray!  It said that younger people usually had more reaction due to the fact they had healthier immune systems and seniors tended to have less reaction to the shots.  So for the first time I was really glad I felt like crap--ROFL!

It wasn't that bad--but definitely knocked me back, shall we say.  Was in my pajamas for days and even just threw clean ones on after I showered--LOL!  Of course my having no spoons doesn't take much, as you know.  I was pleasantly surprised my immune system was in overdrive and working hard for six days.  Who knew?  So if you have a flu-like reaction and a sore arm that feels like there's a softball under your skin--well, congrats!

I will just figure after I get the second one that I will be in my pajamas again for a week--LOL!  I have my appointment with Dr. Kessler exactly a week after my second shot is scheduled so I hope I will be okay to make it there.  They say you can have a stronger reaction the second time, so we'll see.  All worth every minute of crummy time in my book.  This nearly 70 year old is very happy to be getting the vaccine.  

When I was laid up for days Annie was enthralled with Bridgerton...

...for quite a while!  

Why?  Who knows with a cat.

I did manage to do laundry last week and (later in the week) bring out trash and make a trip to the garage for more bird seed.  Leah and I had our video call Thursday night and she dropped off Costco groceries on Friday afternoon.

Blaine emailed me and said they will be having their usual family vacation to Alexandria (Minnesota) mid March and can run over Grandpa's desk one day.  We will wear masks and I will meet them in my garage for a short visit.  Can just leave the desk out there for now.  At least that is the tentative plan.

I have online appointments with Elliot Overton on April 7th and May 5th.  Be interesting to see what he has to say and suggest.  Leah will join in from her place.  We'll ask if we can record it.

Yesterday I decided to pick the easiest project I had lined up since I still wasn't up to thinking much, if you know what I mean.  (Tackling new-to-me stuff in Wanderlust seemed beyond my brain fog power--LOL!)  So I picked a set of birthday cards to work on.

I used my Clean Color watercolor brushes.  Sampled the overlay of various blues, reds, and yellows for the balloons.  
Picked out the three I liked together best so they'd overlay to purple and green.
Then it was assembly line, non-thinking time--LOL!  I colored all the center blue balloons...
...then all the red ones and finally all the yellow ones.
Simple, but really like it.
Then I put the crease down the middle of the card stock (forgot to take a picture of the board I use).
Then folded them all and creased them well with my teflon bone folder.
Next step (didn't get a picture) I put Scrappy Tape all around the outside edge of the back of the front card piece with the balloons.  Then took all the backing off the double-sided tape and stuck them on the front of the red card base.
I didn't get pictures because I was busy with a video call with the boys at the same time as I was working on finishing the cards.
We were on the call before, during, and after dinner.  :)
All 50 birthday cards are finished!  Nice!
Was a very slow, quiet week mostly.  Watched quite a bit of Bordertown on Netflix (subtitles) and still working on Waking The Dead on BritBox (9 seasons).  Found a series called History Cold Case on YouTube on the Reel Truth History Documentaries channel.  You know how I enjoy British shows and this channel has a lot of interesting programs.  I love the ones where people try to live like they are back in another time period.  Anyways, this particular series is about studying bones to try to find out how people died and possibly have an idea of who they were...from hundreds or thousands of years ago.  Fascinating to me.  I watched both season they have online right now.

So I may have felt crummy and been low on spoons most of the week but I had an interesting, peaceful time.  Annie is always glad to have me in my chair so she can snooze between my legs on the footrest, so she had a great week, too--LOL!  Oh--and can't forget--I actually got one set of birthday cards finished!  Makes me so happy!  

Our weather is acting spring crazy already.  It was 2 degrees when I checked a couple hours ago and expected to be 48 degrees tomorrow.  We could still get snowstorms in March, of course.  But when it is first warm like this and things start to melt...feels like spring.  It was 37 degrees last Thursday when I was wheeling my cart out to the dumpster and garage.  Just lovely to not have to wear gloves or a hat!  But it was still February!  Well, enjoy the warmer days while we have them, I guess.  It's nice to be able to open the place up and get some fresh air!  Our weather is very unpredictable in the spring and fall--LOL!  

Have an uplifting week!
Till next time...
Best to you and yours!
****
"Perhaps the most radical act of resistance in the face of adversity is to live joyfully."
Ari Honarvar