Wednesday-11:15am

I won the drawing for this book--The Shadow Boxers--from Wendy's blog Picnic With Ants!

It's all about fighting fibromyalgia... 

...and has places to journal... 

..throughout the book. 

Thanks Wendy and author, Kim Johnson! 

I am gradually getting Annie used to my using the lapdesk in my chair for letter writing.  I have to make sure the pillow and lapdesk are balanced over to one side on my one leg so that it doesn't touch her or she leaves.  Poor Annie always doubts she is wanted.  Street life took its toll on her self-worth big time. 

So hard to decide to grab the lapdesk when she's so content. 

It still takes very little for Annie to go from sleeping on the chair like this to bolting down the hallway.  Well, now she only bolts to near the hallway, so that's progress.

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It's taken--how long has it been?--three months?--for her to trust me enough to actually follow me (not closely) into the pantry when she gets her canned food treat dish every day.  A couple times recently she has beat me to the mat!  She used to wait in the hallway--several feet down in case she had to dart for under my bed--and I had to leave the pantry, go sit down, not move for a couple minutes before she figured it was safe to slither into the pantry.  She had this fear of being trapped in there and caught, I imagine.  If I stood up--she darted out so fast--like a shadow.  Now she has beat me to the food mat...twice!  I can walk within maybe three feet away from her once in a while without her running away.  Life is good.  :)

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Well, that free calligraphy  class...not continuing on.  Her free class had three versions of worksheets you could download: large, small, and iPad.  But when you went to continue on with the next five months of classes...each version had to be bought separately each month.  I was doing (and absolutely want to learn) both large and (two) small versions.  No way!  Sorry, but that seemed like kind of bait and switch.  

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Okay--so...

I have been following Lindsey at The Postman's Knock (TPK) for a long time.  She's the one who got me interested in doing pointed dip pen work and why I purchased the oblique pen holder and new nibs in the first place this year.  She does beautiful envelope artwork along with her calligraphy, has freebies to print off, give-aways, and does physical workshops (far away--can't remember where). 

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[Note: The good thing about taking that free class was it pushed me to get the oblique pen holder out again for a more serious attempt to figure out how to use it--and forced me to work with my brush pens.  The large tombow brush pens are so intimidating and more difficult for me--but what I want to learn for writing in/on cards.  I have seen a little progress.  So when I would have to pay $24 a month (sale price for one day only each month--otherwise $48) for those other classes (that didn't touch on anything but the very basics) for five months, I decided to check out Lindsey's classes and search youtube videos and books on Amazon.]

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I did find a couple people to follow on youtube so I can watch it being done.  I ordered a book from Amazon plus I ordered two classes from Lindsey and a couple font samplers.  They arrive as downloads.  I went to print the first booklet...the printer was doing fine...then stopped after ten pages and announced it was out of paper.  *sigh*  It was not.  Here we go again.  (Where's my hammer?!)

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Now some of you may remember that this printer has done this several times since I got it and it's not that old.  (HP Envy)  Leah couldn't get it to work, either, but the other times Dagan managed to mess with it long enough for it to suddenly recognize paper again.  He was never sure what he did to get it to start printing again.  Well, last night even Dagan's magic-techie-touch didn't work.  So, he packed up "the piece of junk" and hauled it back to Costco.  (I figured it was worth a try, right?)

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No box, no receipt, had it for quite a while, and they haven't carried that model since February...but they gave Dagan store credit and he came back with a new printer!  (HP Office Jet)  Kudos to Costco!!!

So, I was printing and printing last night!!  Both classes (which also have videos) and both exemplars.

I got both the George style lettering... 

...and the Stitches style lettering.  Plan to use on headers in my bullet journal, for sure. 

Kaitlin style calligraphy--can use to learn both the dip pen and small brush pens. 

Lastly, Lindsey has only one brush pen class--also Kaitlin style.  

Yes, all three of these booklets are for that one class!  

Lindsey has a few more classes I'd like to buy, too, with different styles of writing.  And now I have a new printer to print them on, too--LOL!  Whoohoo!  I think I might be needing to buy more ink cartridges pretty soon.  ;)

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These two books I ordered from Amazon came this morning.  Brush Pen Lettering by Grace Song and--well, you know how I already love my Botanical Line Drawing: 200 step-by-step flowers, leaves, cacti, succulents, and other items found in nature by Peggy Dean and have been using it on writing tablets--well, she came out with a new book!  Botanical Line Drawing: cactus & succulent edition (200 step-by-step illustrations in this one, too!). 

You can't really tell what you are getting with just the peek you get online, but here's the table of contents for the Brush Pen Lettering book. 

(Serena, I know you might want a peek since we plan to do this together half a world apart--LOL!) 

Has all kinds of basics from what you need to how to hold the pens...

...and some of the very same drills.

Blank worksheets--can print off as many as you want.

So, I think this book will be good for learning the basics of brush pen lettering.  The one from Lindsey is a specific style or font, but will also be fun.  Kaitlin is like the wonky style everyone is using these days.

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While I was in the bedroom taking a picture of the new printer... 

...thought I'd show you how Bubbles has matured. 

He's handsome and spunky!

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Last Thursday Leah picked me up after her chiropractor appointment and I spent the day over at McFamily's.  Got to feed Liam a bottle (breast milk) whlie Ian was napping.  He took it so enthusiastically that I think I gave him a little too much at a time--LOL!  Got a gusher of milk all over my chest as I took him up for a burp!  Yup--now I remember why I used to bring an extra top when I went to visit when Ian was a baby--ROFL!!  Gramma is washable, I always say.  Was a great visit and Ian "read" me his other bedtime book from memory before he went to sleep.

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So sore couldn't sleep that night.  But, in general, the pain level has gone up a notch or two the last couple months, so I fully expected that.  It did get me searching online for herbal supplements, though.  And those came yesterday, too.  I'm trying White Willow Bark for pain and Turmeric for inflammation.  There are other ones to try, but it makes more sense to only try one or two at a time to see if they work or not.  This month--those are what I am trying.  If anyone else has tried either of these, let me know what you thought.  Or if you know of some other natural supplement that worked for you--love to hear.

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There is so much horror and tragedy and appalling behavior in the news that I have nothing to add.  Focusing on sending out loving energy has really been put to the test this past year.  A goal that, personally, keeps me challenged full time these days.  The term "shining example" doesn't seem to fully express the hearts and souls of those people who have risked their lives for others and those who have reached out to help their fellow man and creatures in disasters.  And the people who have taken a stand against injustice and the appalling. 

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Pray for the victims.  

Pray for us all.

Do what you can.

Even a hug or a kind word helps lift the energy of the world.  

We are all connected.

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 I'll end on a love note.  

Annie's timid, gentle soul opening up to mine has filled me with hope and joy.  Touched my heart.

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Here she is--finally deciding it is safe enough to get comfortable in the morning sun on the old, small, tan recliner closest to the patio door.  Why she'd jump up there every few weeks--stand there for a moment--catch my eye--and race away...well, only Annie knows her terrors.  That cat bed has been waiting for her on that chair ever since she arrived, but Annie has just now decided it is a safe place to sit...if I am not in the living room-- LOL!

Seeing Annie's body relax, watching her sleep...and hearing her snore--LOL!...knowing she feels safe enough to close her eyes in my presence...makes me smile every time.  We'll probably both get used to it over time.  ;)

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Holding a warm, observant baby in your arms.  Reading to a towheaded little boy who smiles when he sees me.  Having a son come to your rescue when you are overwhelmed by technological glitches...and a daughter-in-law who is happy to help you through the maze of banking red tape and sends you card-making videos to compare ideas for future projects.  Friends and family who greet you in emails--blog and facebook comments--or even mailbox paper-chats.  It all makes me smile.  

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May I never get used to any of it.

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Till we chat again...

Virtual Hugs!!!

:) :) :)

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"Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our minds to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others."

Barbara Bush

Wednesday-3pm

Hello!

Thought it was time for an update.  :)

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First, though, I rarely have cool sunset clouds to show you.  So despite my camera being unable to capture the depth of color here is a span from left to right last night.

My cell phone can't capture the flaming colors...

...or zoom in very closely... 

...but, believe me, it was spectacular! 

I have only seen the ground squirrel a couple of different days in the last few weeks.  It has been colder and I think they are spending more den-time.

Annie spends most of her days right next to the patio door--tucked behind the end table and under Ian's chair--waiting for critters (so she can leap out and scare the crap out of them). 

Yes, I have colored twinkling lights up around the patio door (and the studio window) all year round. 

Not sure why the camera made my ivory colored walls look orange in the picture, though--LOL!

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Soon Annie's favorite visitor won't be coming for drinks...

...and to fill those pouches anymore.  Won't see them till spring.  But does my heart good to know I have helped fill their winter larder. 

The days have been cool enough once in a while that I can't even leave the door open all the way and we've had rain off and on, too. 

But I love the chilly weather!

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In the evening I leave the sliding door cracked open so Annie can watch for the rabbits. 

They come to eat whatever hasn't been gobbled up during the day.  

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Well, I am in the process of changing banks.  Dumping Wells Fargo and will now be at the local bank that Dagan and Leah have used for years.  Dagan brought me over one afternoon while he was still off work those two weeks after Liam was born.  The girl--excuse me, lady (I really am getting old when anybody under 40 look so young to me)--even asked if I would like to switch my Social Security check payment right there that day in her office?!  You betcha!!  Or did I tell you that already?  (Senior/fibro moment)

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Of course, the SS guy even told me not to close my account at the old bank until I get the check in the new account because it can take the government a month or two--so I am waiting to see now in October.  So strange to have two accounts.

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Leah helped me get bills switched over and to set up the bank to pay the places that don't have auto pay where I used to write a check--so I am waiting to see how all that goes, too.  The only place I have left is my rent check.  I have called federal housing twice to find out where the exact address is for the bank to mail the rent check...never get a person, but have left voice messages.  Too late now for October, anyways.  I'll have to keep bugging them till somebody calls me back so I can get it set up for November.  After that I will be more-or-less paperless with my bills--whoohoo!

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I immediately got a welcome letter from Gate City bank--and then I also got this card from the lady who waited on me... 

...with a hand written note! 

Sure looks like things will be different with this local bank, eh?  In another month or two I can close out my Wells Fargo account--tada!!

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To those of you I write letters to...this is the reason I am so far behind with my letter writing. 

I get out the pillow and lap desk in my chair (my favorite place to sit and write)--next thing Annie has either left the footrest of the chair and gone to sulk under the bed (which makes me feel especially bad because she just has learned to trust me enough to sit with me in the first place and then she thinks I am driving her away) or she climbs up on the arm of the chair demanding some attention. 

Karma never liked me to write, either, but she got used to it and she had plenty of attention otherwise.  Maybe Annie will, too, but right now I am such a sucker for shy Annie wanting some lovin'...what can  say?  It is the only time Annie let's me really close to her.  She still scoots away any time I am standing up or anywhere else in the apartment.  So, I am very behind on letters, sorry.  I know you will forgive me.    

A couple people have asked about the calligraphy drills.  I am doing three sets of them.  Printed off a large set and two small sets on laser paper.  Next time, though, I am going to print off the drills on regular paper and use tracing paper and parchment paper to practice on top of them to I can reuse them over and over.  Yup--I now have dug up from the craft supply depths both--tracing and parchment tablets.  Can't remember which is for which pen, but I wrote it on the tablets--LOL!

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These are the large pen drills.   

I am using a black Tombow marker.

Definitely a big brush marker pen...and difficult to learn to control. 

The small brush drills.

I am using a Tombow small brush Japanese pen--the hard one.  Black ink but the pen has a blue body--got from JetPens. 

This one is the easiest to control for me.  Not tremendous line variation but I really like it the best. 

My other small drill set.  

I am (finally) using my oblique dip pen I bought earlier this year and India ink.  (Very old ink--from my calligraphy class I took back in the early 90s--LOL!) 

We did not use pointed dip pens for that class.  We used a dip pen with a flat edge on the nib and I only learned an italic font.  Maybe show you what I am talking about next time.  This thick and thin process or pressing down and letting up--whew!  I have never learned this!  Made some pathetic attempts a few times--awk!!!  I find it really difficult.  But these drills are really helping me get the hang of it.  S-l-o-w-l-y.  So I am going to continue on.  I think in October we will start learning letters of the alphabet.  :)  Now I just have to remember to sign up on the 30th to get it for half price--LOL!  Bullet don't fail me now!  ;)

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Since it's been chilly again I am back to making veggie soups.  I need to make the 13-bean soup again here pretty soon, too.  Soup weather!!  Humm...fresh bread sounds pretty good, too.  I've just been busy using up my "spoons" on other things. 

The sparrow flock enjoyed some food on a rainy day.  The balcony above my patio gives them protection on a calmer rainy day. 

Everyone is so hungry lately that I have been putting out food in the afternoons, too, most days.  After all, the girls (seven grouse) come toward dusk each day and I can't have a bare patio for my girls.  :)   

Then the rabbits come at night, so there's nothing left by morning, regardless.

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I spent most of one whole day filling up another tablet with flower drawings.

A little cactus, too. 

I showed you some of the better ones, but there are some bleh ones, too, that even coloring doesn't help much--LOL!  But it's fun.  My speed--look at the pictures and copy.   

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I spent two days setting up the skeletal framework for the next four months in my bullet.  I know--I don't use my bullet the way most people do.  That's exactly what I love about bullet journaling.  You can do it any way that works for you...plus change it up if you want to or need to.  Can you tell I love my bullet??  (Even though I still haven't done any of the drawing/decorating in there yet--LOL!--it will wait patiently for me and doesn't care if I never do any at all.)

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Let's see...what else?  McFamily has been pretty busy.  Leah sounded beyond tired on the phone Monday.  Last I heard Liam has been up a lot at night and doing more of his sleeping during the day...so you know how tired Mama is.  We were talking about my coming over tomorrow night for a visit--one of their free evenings--but maybe it would be better to wait till next week.  They have had appointments and company and babysitting her sister's boys...no problem for me to wait.  Plus, I've been extra sore for a couple of months now, anyways.  (Going to try some herbal supplements come October for pain and inflammation.)  I'm more concerned with how Leah's doing than my Gramma-time, you know?  So, we'll see.  Got to get in touch with her.

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Meanwhile...I've been renting the first season of This Is Us from Netflix.  Just finished and I LOVE IT!!  Current favorite series, I think.  Can hardly wait till season two is available on Netflix.  Then--I had been renting the DVDs from Netflix of Battlestar Galactica off and on for years and I decided to finally finish it and then rent Caprica (prequel).  I'll get a few other movies scattered in-between, of course.  Like I just watched Guardians of The Galaxy 2 last night and enjoyed it just as much as the first one.  It's nice to see one of these action superhero-type movies that has more character development and character driven humor along with the special effects quest.  Maybe it's the humor that I enjoy the most?  ;)

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Other than that it's been a lot of BBC historical documentaries, Father Brown episodes, and Call The Midwife.  There's always something good to watch when you're hobbly-hurtin' a bit too much to do much else.  I've had quite a few of those days the last couple months.  Up and down.  I think it might be my new normal.  Such is life.

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Well, the girls (grouse) were here early chowing down, Annie is walking past my chair here in the kitchen crying (wants me to go sit down in the big comfy chair and settle in for the evening), and my body says I have gone over my time limit--LOL!  It's now 5:30pm.  This beautiful fall day is heading into evening.  More traffic on the road.  People going home from work.  I picked chatting with you this afternoon instead of balancing two checkbooks--ROFL!  ;) ;)

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Keep smiling!!

:) :)

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"The key to knowing joy is being easily pleased."

Mark Nepo