I'M HOPING FOR A NEW BEGINNING

This is a hard one for me, because now I have to admit and be truthful about how sick I have been these past 10 years.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis 6 years ago.  At that time, the doctors told me to see a Naturopath to "fine tune" my disease.  Well, I have been run around the block many, many times.  I even had one Thyroid "expert" tell me she just didn't know what to do with me.  With Hashimoto's came high blood pressure, high sugar levels, Fibromyalgia and a myriad of other problems I have almost forgotten about. So, I've been on a roller coaster ride ever since.  I'm at a severe low now, with barely enough energy to get me through the day.  I know some of this is related to the withdrawal I am going through, and hopefully those symptoms will end soon.  My body feels as if it is full of cement, and even walking is a challenge.

SO.

The other day a friend sent me a link to a webinar given by a Functional Medical Doctor.  I cried when I watched it.  This doctor tells his story, how his symptoms began and how they progressed.  It was my life, step by step.  I immediately arranged for a consultation with him and took two tests.

Only 20% of the people who contact him are accepted into his program.  It is based on need, which the tests showed I was in critical need of and the willingness of the patient to commit to following the program.  Well, why wouldn't I?  I have no where else to go.

I started the program on Thursday.  Tomorrow I will have a blood draw that will test lots and lots of factors, not usually tested by our traditional doctors.  The results of this test will enable him to produce supplements that are for me alone.

This is a 5 month program.  The diet is the Gut Autoimmune Protocol.  No coffee, no booze, no dairy, grains, etc. etc. etc.

Only 4 days and I have lost 10.5 pounds.

I will not be writing about this on a daily basis, but when I have something to share, I will.

WITHDRAWAL BLUES

I am on day 20 of withdrawal from an awful prescription drug, CYMBALTA.  I've done it before, so I know I will be okay, but this really is not fun.  Aside from feeling very poorly, my mood swings are pretty severe; crying at any little thing, agitated, and anxious.  Thank goodness I don't have to be socializing right now.  No one would want to be near me.

Cymbalta was prescribed for the treatment of fibromyalgia to relieve the pain.  I have found the side effects of the drug to be worse than the pain.  So, the countdown continues.

I've been working on a spinning project for a friend who gave me a huge supply of alpaca fleeces in exchange for spinning her some yarn.

This is a cria (baby) fleece and it is the hardest fiber I have had to work with.  There are many breaks and shorts in it, but oh, the buttery feel of the finished yarn is to die for.  Exactly what we are looking for in an Alpaca yarn.  I can binge watch my favorite series on Hulu, such as JUSTIFIED, and still be productive.

Meanwhile, I have so many projects I want to work on.  The other day a guy told me I need a hobby.  I almost fell out of my chair from laughing.  I should have opened my garage door while he was here.

Tomorrow I have a consultation with a Thyroid/Hashimotos specialist and will hopefully get some help in all the other health issues I have been dealing with.  My fingers, toes, and eyes are crossed.

KARMA KISSES

Yesterday, I was browsing through the local Buy/Sell/Trade sites and found these:

Oh, my, the things I could do with these!  So,I contacted the seller and headed out on a trip to Ferndale.  I haven't been over that way since I moved back here, so the memories were coming fast and furious.  I had so many Alpaca friends in this area, and visited them all for various alpaca activities, often.  They, like myself, have moved on.  

Then I thought of my friend Lori who used to have the most wonderful, crafty shop in Ferndale where I sold many of my items.  The City of Ferndale, in upgrading their streets, cut off her place of business and left no parking on the street, thus no access to the store. 

So, reminiscing about so many things, I found the home of the seller.  She was working at organizing her garage, and when she turned around to greet me, we both started screaming hugs.  It was my friend Lori.  So hard not to reach out and hug.  I remained in my car and we talked for some time.  

This lifted my spirits more than anything I could have imagined.

Then, when I returned home, this was waiting for me.

This was made by my "old" college friend, Chayo.  Her business is Chayo's Ceramics in Portland, Oregon.  We lived in neighboring dorm rooms our Freshman year at Pacific Lutheran University.  Neither of us were happy with the opportunities offered there, so both of us transferred to Washington State University where she graduated in Art and I in Clothing and Textiles.  I have not seen her since my wedding in 1972!!!!  I'm so glad I persisted in my search for her.  At least she does not have a common name and Facebook did the job for me.  I love her work, and have wanted something for some time.  Then I thought to myself, why not?  What are you waiting for?  So this little tumbler is perfect for my morning cuppa Joe.

So, it is Thursday.  Be thankful for what you have.  Keep thinking and growing.  Tell all your friends and family how much you love them.  And keep on Trukin'.

TREASURE HUNT TUESDAY

I know, I know it is Wednesday.  And how do I know that?  Because, thank goodness, it tells me so on the upper corner of my computer.  Otherwise I wouldn't have a clue.

So, Treasure Hunt Tuesday was coined by a former neighbor of mine from Nooksack.  The local thrift store, Second Chance, opens it's doors on Tuesdays after decorating the store on Mondays.

Well, they used to.  Many of us have made Tuesday mornings a social event.  I'm always looking for this and that and doo dahs, but the best is seeing friends and getting hugs.  Hugs need to last for 20 seconds to be effective in love, relieving stress, and well-being.  I always came away refreshed and feeling loved.

Here are a few of the doo dahs I have acquired there and am awaiting the inspiration to incorporate them into something awesome.  Sometimes I have these things around for years before the spirit moves me.

So, here I sit, eating my favorite breakfast:  2 poached duck eggs on a bed of sautéed vegetables.

And, of course, coffee in my Cougar Cup.

Planning my busy day ahead, ahem.

Yesterday I went to my friend's place to see her garden.  It is so gorgeous.  I like to joke about visiting my garden there, because I gave her so many of my perennials when I left the farm.  She also has about a 1/2 acre garden for flowers and veges.  She gave me this flat of starts that she didn't need.  My Sweet Peas are doing well, but I don't have as many as I would like and it is too late to start them by seed.

So, today I will plant these.  Yesterday I planted zucchini and spaghetti squash and will train them to climb on my bed springs.  I'm only allowed pot gardens since I rent.  My back deck is prime territory, and I will share more of it later.

Listening to Dixie Chicks on Pandora this morning.

Keep singing and dancing.  Good for the soul.

FELTING SNAFUS

This is my favorite coffee cup these days.  Things just go better with a good cuppa.  I'm drinking a lot, but mostly decaf, so I don't feel too guilty.

I bought this piece of felt at an estate sale and thought I could use it for some projects, as long as I touched up the felting.  So here it is, in the well, ready to start felting.  Sadly, it is not made of 100% protein fiber, and all my work was to no avail.  It will become a very big needle felting project.

Not to be dismayed, I made three 12x12" pieces and will probably make more today.  I have a great project in mind for these.

Bah!

It has rained, and rained, and rained.  My spirits have been lifted by the recent warm, sunny weather, and down they slid with the rain.

I really like this.  I have a large piece of felt that I need to work on, and I think I will use this as inspiration.  This will be a long project.

I have been reading that men don't like to wear masks because it makes them appear weak.  Hmmm, that is probably why the 45th doesn't wear one.  So any hoo, this is my son, Michael, ready to head to the grocery store.  He is the only one in his family that goes shopping.  My friend made the mask and he really likes it.  He is not weak, nor does he worry about appearing so.

This is my new wind chime that I made from doo dahs and this and thats.  I like to string beads and hang them in my tree.  I was inspired by the spirit garden in A LITTLE CHAOS.  If you haven't seen that movie, do.  It's wonderful.

So, what shall I do today?  I am withdrawing from a drug I have taken for 8 years, and it is not a pleasant experience.  The fatigue is overpowering, and the pain intense.  And, I don't get much sleep, accompanied by anxiety.  Research has shown me that this could go on for another two weeks or months.  It's hard enough to keep a positive attitude during these COVID times, but if I can keep busy, I will survive!!

THERE'S A SMELL IN THE AIR

I was a bit groggy when I woke up this morning.  So groggy that I placed my coffee cup upside down on the Keurig.  This is how I get my house cleaned.  Accidents lead to work.

These are the flowers that I collected for Mother's day,  including the carnation brought to me by the Instacart delivery woman.  Below are the remaining Alliums from my back deck.  The honey bees love them.

It is the time to battle the Yellow Jacket.  I have discovered from a friend that they are terrified of wasps, and will avoid them.  So, I have knitted a fake wasp nest and will hang it beneath my eaves on the back deck.  It's not really the right color, so I consider it the sampler.  I will be receiving a mushroom colored yarn to make more.  Can you believe that?  I had to order yarn.

We have gone from several days of warm (HOT) weather, to dark grey rainy days.  You would think I have lived here long enough, but I always have to remind myself that I am in farm country when I go around trying to find where "that smell" is coming from.  It's pretty ripe today as the farmers have been spreading the manure the last few days.  I call it "Dairy Air".

So many of you know that I am on dating sites in my constant endeavor to find my last love.

It is very interesting, entertaining, and frustrating.  You must be on your toes to detect the scammers.  I don't take any chances, and it is almost impossible to meet up with someone in person these days. 

Today I read a profile and I want to share what he said about love at our age:

Mature love is not an emotion, but rather an act of will, upon which the emotion of Joy grows.

I  was touched, and wrote to him immediately.

My order is in with Costco and they will be delivering later this afternoon.  Really, my house is so stocked up.  I made a commitment to a plant based diet two weeks ago and I depend on fresh vegetables.

My egg lady will be delivering me two dozen duck eggs today.  Life is good.

I started my day with MSNBC , but quickly changed to Mozart on Pandora.  Now it is B.B. King to add some energy.

Blessings to ALL.

Keep your chins up.

Find something positive to celebrate.

WELLNESS DURING THE CORONA VIRUS.

On March 18, 2020, I started a journal, keeping track of my emotions and needs during home lockdown.  I reviewed it today, and it is so depressing.  So, I have decided to re-activate my blog and keep track of my "happenings" here.

I began my self imposed "lock down" on March 2, earlier than most.  I can still see the expression on a friend's face when I told her she could not come in my house.  It was a sad day, and remains so.

She will drop by occasionally and we will converse through my kitchen window.  With the nicer weather, we have found that visiting outdoors, practicing social distancing, is a great solution to the "lonelies".

 

This is my favorite magazine.  It is the work of an organic farmer from the Moscow, Idaho area.  Since I recently embraced a plant based diet, this magazine is very helpful withe wonderful recipes and gardening ideas.  This issue, under the Health and Wellness News, contains an article on how social connections enhance physical health.  To quote:  "Social relationships are adaptive and crucial for survival".  We must find ways to interact, whether it be in person, a cow's length away from  one another, phone calls to loved ones, and facetime on the phone.  That reminds me I must facetime my Grandson and his dog.

Have a wonderful day and be possitive.