You'll feel a little prick.

So.

Yesterday was therapy and then my first visit to an allergy/asthma doctor; or immunologist. Dr. Wes Stricker worked at the Mayo clinic for 6 years before coming to Columbia, MO. He says he is very much dedicated to finding and treating the causes of allergies and asthma, as well as eczema, and not just treat the symptoms. I suffer from all three. 

I received about 40 pricks of allergens, and the good news is that cats and dogs dots didn't swell up, and neither did mold or feathers. The ragweed and goldenrod ones did. I lived among fields of ragweed and goldenrod in Indiana. 

I'll go back in 2 weeks for tests and the beginning of the game plan. 

Today was off to the dentist again, to redo an old filling. Painless, but a set of noise-deadening ear phones would have been great. The whine and grind of the instruments wear me out.

Tomorrow? I don my Domestic Goddess robes for a day of making neat and cooking. I'd like to get into my sewing room, too. Thursday, it's back to work.

As for knitting, I ripped out the pair of half-made socks without a qualm after I discovered they were a bit too small for me. I think I was using size 0s on 80 stitches; the gauge was 10 spi. Cast onto size 1s with 80 stitches again and am a couple of inches into the pair.

Thank you for the kind comment, Pam, about my new header photo. I took that one Christmas day; the sky was just so big and beautiful!

Use gloves provided.

This story may begin when I was 17, and my mother died. She never really fooled around much with my hair, save to give me those foul smelling Toni Perms when I was 7 or 8. Blouse-less, in her brassier, with a cigarette hanging out of one side of her mouth.

I had girlfriends in junior high and high school, and as far as hair went, it was all about braiding about a thousand little braids in our hair, to get some sort of wavy look. This was the early seventies, and we did not have access to today's fancy appliances for straightening or crimping and who knows what all.

Then I moved far away from my girlfriends, and not having any sisters or kind gentle women nearby, my girlie genes almost withered and died. I didn't care for fashion or make up or hair styles. And in the eighties, that was not necessarily a bad thing.

Now, I have friends that love to give pedicure parties and they also offer to help the 'fussing with my hair,' (since I am becoming more and more grey and so need regular 'treatments.' Ahem.)

I am gradually shortening my locks as well as lightening them. Tomorrow? First time ever High Lights.

I am thinking about going dramatic. Why the fuck not?

Also? Can I again say how happy I am to have moved here and to have found such wonderful wimmin friends?

A Voice of Reason

So. 

I have survived the human construct that is the New Year, and the sun has decided to return to glory yet again. Unlike many years past, this year Sweetie and I went out with friends to celebrate at midnight at Montgomery City's oldest bar. It's a tiny joint and has been in operation since 1962. It was fun, we wore silly hats and beads and leis, and there were noise makers available. 

We returned on New Year's Day for free Bloody Marys, black eyed peas, and Hoppin' John. Free! (I did leave the wonderful bartender a nice tip, though.) The TV was tuned to American Top Gear, and everyone had a good time mocking that as well as the commercials. It's a good bar, need I say, one that opens at 9 am, with an older clientele. Like me. It's a safe place for women to go either alone or in a group.

It's been a nice holiday, with Sweetie having 8 days off over the past two weeks. Still, I hate having my schedule disrupted for so long. Not that I have much of a schedule really, but I do love my alone time and I haven't had that recently.

Corky is improving daily! I bought some Tea Tree Oil shampoo and spray, along with ear mite medicine from 1-800-Petmeds.com and it has made a huge difference! That and the new diet of lamb and rice or chicken and rice where the first ingredient isn't corn. So many animals are allergic to corn, and I may be, too. 


Tea Tree Oil is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. I think that Corky was afflicted with both in different areas of his body, and all that was complicated by his corn allergy. He has become one with the family, and even Reece's has finally learned to tolerate him and his herding instincts. Several swipes with claws to the nose has helped.

I don't do resolutions, but I would like to lose weight this year. I 'blossomed' this past year, in more ways than one. Only a very few of my clothes fit anymore. On the other hand, I have made strides recently towards 'taking better care of myself.' The therapist, eye exams, teeth exams, well-woman exams. My bone density is good! Yay me! Also, I don't have signs of glaucoma or macular degeneration, and I only have one cavity to fret about. 

It is a sobering (hah) thought, though, that in a mere fifteen years, I will be seventy - should I live so long.

Oil Thoroughly Before Use

Look what Janet found in the back room of the antique shop. I was able to take a box of parts and assemble them, for the most part. I'm missing the part that holds one end of the flyer, and I have two pieces that don't seem to fit anywhere. There are no maker marks on it and, despite some mold, it appears to be in good shape.

Here's the flyer and a bobbin, and the two extra things.

There are two extra bobbins, even. I've been able to turn the wheel with the treadle. Figure I will clean it up and oil it, then look into finding the missing piece. If anyone has suggestions, please don't be shy of leaving a comment.

Two of my favorite holiday songs. This one:

and this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9H9Fi4Qcus&feature=colike

It was a dark and stormy night.

It is a dark and stormy night. 

(If you are my age or thereabouts, you will get the reference. Bless you, Mr. Bulyer Litton and Snoopy.)

Eye appointment today; my eyes have changed only a little bit from 5 years ago. I still wear sunglasses made from my 1985 prescription, for driving! Yay me! A pair of those big big ol' frames of that era. In twenty years, fun will be poked at the little rectangle glasses that everyone is currently wearing. I would love to find a pair of frames like the ones I had in '74. Large and round. 

Also saw my primary care giver. My blood pressure is way too high, yet my mood is so much better. I credit the fish oil-3 and the vitamin D-3, and the therapy for that. The supplements seem to have made a big difference. Also, this town is much less stressful and I am not in fear of stalkers. At all. We've not gotten involved in local politics, and have no intention of doing so. I listen to the gossip and keep my lips zipped.

My camera has breathed it's last. I believe Sweetie has bought me a new one. l gave him his present the other day - a Snuggie. He's a poor little Chihuahua, always looking for a warm spot! Moi, I am so warm that I keep the thermostat between 60 and 62º. 

I am glad to have a FREE day tomorrow! No appointments, no work save for Domestic Goddess chores.  Which are sorely needed.

My Sad Little Homage to Xmas

Hi Ho chitlin's! Hope that you all are doing well. Since I don't "do" christmas, I am the least stressed person I know right now, save for Sweetie. Although? I did buy him a present that I will know he will like.

Also bought two books: Dr. Weill's Spontaneously Happy and another one whose name escapes me at the moment. Her book is UFO: Pilots, Generals (etc.)

I know Sweetie will love them both. 

The Pink Section

I have made a bit o' cash at the little cottage this past week! That makes me happy. Business is starting to pick up at both buildings lately. I have the cottage while Leslie manages the much larger antique and collectible building. I can hardly believe that I have the equivalent of my old Arts & Artisans shop again! Without much of the overhead which had dealt the death blow to my shop in Indiana. Artists and craftspeople are finding their way to me, just like before. This place is gonna rock!

This time last year was pure turmoil. Job uncertainty, housing uncertainty, loneliness, and a lot of bad ass winter weather. Now, I am so happy with this house and this town, and I am delighted to have found friends, and Sweetie has a better job with better pay and better insurance. 

Me happy.