This and That

Time to check in with you all... there's been several things going on "in life", just nothing much that's blog worthy as far as decorating goes. I've said it before, but this is my least favorite time of the year, and even in the best of personal circumstances I tend to be uninspired and in a rut this late part of the summer. 

And it's a little worse this year since I'm still in the process of getting help with my neck and migraine problem. I'm really in the "don't got it goin' on" category. 

Late Summer is usually a bummer for me, I just can't get out in the heat any more and even though I need the Vitamin D, my skin just doesn't like the sun. When I was younger and much more stupid, I would lay in the sun for hours, not thinking about the future, only that I looked so much better with a tan. Taking medications can make you sun-sensitive, and my skin reacts with lot's of spots and pigment problems. I look like some kind of speckled egg. yuck. The heat just drains everything out of me, so watering the flower containers is my big effort to roam around outside like a normal person. 

So today I'm sharing a little vignette that's on top of my bookcase in my office/studio. At the other house I had a much bigger space and a work table so I usually had some kind of arty project in the works. Here, it's a pretty small room, so it's more "office" than "studio". Anyway, I enjoy this little spot that I see every day, while I'm on my computer. This room also faces north like the Dining Room, so it has a lot of wonderful light from a "biggish" window. I've shared all these elements before in different groupings, but this sampler is a favorite I found a few years ago at an antique mall, and the print of Jesus is from the painting, Sacred Heart, by C. Bosseran Chambers, in an original frame probably from the 40's.

My older daughter was here over the weekend to help us celebrate our younger daughter's Birthday. We stopped by to see my mom and had a great visit. Notice the sofa? They (the "twin" sofas) both live with my sis and her family now, so I come by to say Hi and lounge on them once in a while, te he. My sis had a previous hair appointment so she couldn't be there. And as usual I'm still stuck with my antique IPhone for pics. so sorry. I can't wait for Christmas and for Santa to get me an update.

Below is a pic from two years ago of the girls, they look more alike in this photo, but Erin has gone more blondy-blonde now, so she looks like a young Nicole Kidman.

I take lousy photos, but this one was passable of me, so I'm sharing it with you all. Erin looks a little hunched over, but was leaning in for the camera, and Mom isn't smiling, but Hey, I look decent for a change, so I'm going with it! Alyson, is always a photogenic cutie, and yes, I'm always the shortie of the group, no matter who I'm with.

 I like to wear a platform shoe usually since I don't wear much of a heel,

 but when I saw these sandals on line I just went for it. 

Sam Edelman Greta Leopard Print Sandal I found mine at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, but if you do a Google Search I'm sure there are other stores that carry them. I have tiny feet, and the reviews said these ran small, so I bought a 6. (they're furry, love them.)

On Personal Stuff...

There are times when you just KNOW God is performing a mini miracle and I had one last week. I have been trying to get in with a Neurologist forever and my appointment was for April 2018. Can you believe it? It's ridiculous around here, evidently everyone in SW Missouri has one, but I'd just about given up. Anyway I was scheduled to see a Rheumatologist last Thursday at noon, since I've been having strange symptoms that my PCP and I thought might be AutoImmune. Also my neck and head situation is bad, so the probability of Rheumatoid Arthritis was high on the list. 

So, late Tuesday afternoon I got a call from the Neurology Office telling me they had a cancellation, and could I be there at 7:30 am on Thursday morning. ABSOLUTELY!!! I said yes. Perfect timing, because the Neuro had already looked at my head and neck MRIs and showed me exactly what was going on. I have a piece of C Spine bone that is actually sticking right into my spinal cord. "No wonder you're in pain" he said. "This is what's causing all your head and neck symptoms". Right now I'm waiting to see my Neuro-Surgeon, to see about doing a Cervical Epidural injection. This is where they insert steroids and lidocaine into your actual spinal canal epidural lining under XRay fluoroscopy. Hopefully they can get this set up soon. Other options include surgery, but right now that's not something I want to think about. As it turns out, even though my RA Factor is normal, but borderline on the high side, that's not what they think is causing this neck problem. 

I saw the Rheumatologist also on Thursday. Very young inexperienced doctor, but very nice. The tests for antibodies started coming in low, so I knew the AutoImmune symptoms were probably Gluten related. I had a horrible flare the last time I colored my hair. That was one of the reasons I was so sure that it was something AI. Turns out a huge amount of hair dye manufacturers use Gluten in their products. Also I had been using a shampoo that included Gluten. Good Grief, no wonder my head was hurting! Some scientists and researchers claim that the Gluten protein is too big to be absorbed through the skin, but I will beg to differ with them. I was in horrible pain for 2 days, and I hadn't been consuming Gluten for a couple of weeks. The hair coloring was the only thing I'd done or eaten differently. I'm putting a sero-negative diagnosis on hold, even though it's not uncommon. Right now I need to deal with my head-neck symptoms.

I'm glad to be narrowing down the diagnosis, but I'm still out here in the void with not much help yet. OK, kiddos, talk to you soon. I'm counting down the days to Fall and the arrival of the first pumpkins!

p.s. this isn't a sponsored post, I just love me some leopard print goodies.

joining in here:

Share Your Style at The Essence of Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm

Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

Sundays at Home at Little Farmstead

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

The Scoop at Worthing Court

Inspire Me at A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Talk of the Town at Knick of Time