I’m in! Moonbeams and Desert Dreams will be part of Christiane Drielings 2020 ART ON 45™ Show. Woo Whoo!

And, WHEW! I thought I had ruined the piece. I put two coats of varnish on and the second one turned out cloudy and streaked. WHAT!! I allowed the correct drying time, the room temperature was right. I had no clue why it happened, or what to do to fix it. I was fully prepared to repaint the background.

Then I told Christiane about it and she had the answer. She told me to put a layer of mineral oil on the surface, and let it sit overnight. I didn’t have mineral oil, so I did some research and used vaseline instead. And it worked like magic!

The Show

For 2020, the two-week exhibit of the ART ON 45™ pieces as well as the auction event (March 14th) will take place at Fine Line Supply Co. in downtown Ruston, LA. The exhibit will showcase this year’s original works, as well as reproductions of the 150 pieces from the four previous years.

The beneficiary of the 2020 edition will be a special nonprofit program of the Ross Lynn
Foundation. Ross Lynn was an artist and an advocate for strong communities. His life
inspired “The Exchange,” a program bringing opportunity and collaboration to North Louisiana
through guidance, resources, and support of area nonprofits, such as The Boys & Girls Club,
NCLAC, Junior Auxiliary, Rolling Hills Ministries, D.A.R.T., MedCamps, Ruston Community
Theatre, and numerous others. The final pieces will be photographed by Markus Wobisch who is also going to create a beautiful book about the collection, with two pages per artist.

Mingus

We have been having wonderful pink skies at night. I know I have probably shared photos like this before. First Mingus turns pinkish-orange.

Next, the sky lights up in cotton candy pink and blue.

What Do You Think?

I went back in and reworked this piece from September. I thought I was making it “better”. I had two “twin” leaves at the bottom. I added two more leaves. And ended up with… sets of twins. Haha! Laughing at myself. I didn’t see it until I was finished.

Maybe I should have quit while I was ahead. Haha.

I made my Goal!

I had my 6-month surgery follow up. It’s hard to believe it has been six months since the first surgery. I was worried for a few weeks, that I had missed the mark. I had not lost any weight for about 6 weeks maybe. Then in the last week and a half, I lost 3 pounds. I realize now, I was thinking of the total goal. The goal for one year after surgery.

I am no longer on food restrictions. Eating healthy, low carbs, low calorie is still the plan. I am well over halfway. So I am actually a little ahead of where they expected. I am relieved. The quick weight loss is over. From now on, it will be slow and steady. If I continue to lose 3 pounds a month, I will reach the goals they have set for me.

I have not had any issues, pain or problems. I can eat a little more, and I am getting my 64 oz. of water daily. I am very happy about that. It was very hard for me to be unable to drink enough. I am feeling good, and things are working as they should. Hallelujah!!  And I no longer have to take Famotidine for the reflux! Amen!! 

I recently saw my lung doctor here in town, (I have a specialist up in Phoenix as well). He was very happy with my recent breathing tests. I have gone up from 33 to 38%!! When I started seeing him, I was at 30%.

I know in my heart, the surgery had a lot to do with that increase. So good news! I see the Lung specialist in March I believe. More breathing tests for him. And he may start deciding what if anything can be done to improve my lungs. They had mentioned surgery, but there are different types.

I had to take care of the GERD first. 😉 The cause of the damage to my lungs, and the reason for the chronic cough. The Roux-en-Y was decided to be the best option to cure the cough. I developed a cough in 2007. In 2008 I was diagnosed with Lupus. The surgeon reworked the opening to my stomach, it wasn’t closing properly. Food and acid were coming back up, and that acid has caused damage to my lungs. Unfortunately, that is not the only lung issue.

The cough is very much improved. I do still cough more than most people. But I think now, it is the lung part of it. Becoming short of breath.

My Rheumatologist is happy with my “Lupus” levels. I saw him before Thanksgiving I think. I have been off that med for about two years I believe. My blood work is fine, kidneys and liver OK. I do still have flares, but not as often, and not for as long. I manage the things that can make them worse. As much as I can. I stay out of the sun and make sure I get enough sleep.

After the surgery, I purchased a stationary “bike“. Also some small hand weights. My stamina and strength are improving. I am so thankful to my doctors. Thankful that I am very much better. Getting closer to my pre-Lupus normal. There was a point in time, where I had just about lost hope.

Thankful as well for your friendship and support. You are a blessing in my life!

Second Surgery

I can’t remember if I have told you why I needed a second surgery in early October. There was an intestinal blockage. For four days, I could not keep foods down. I was trying new foods. So I just thought they weren’t agreeing with me.

I went to the ER where I had the surgery. I was admitted (Oct. 2nd), had surgery on the 6th, and was released on the 9th. My surgeon was out of town, and she did not want anyone else to touch me. She told my family, “She’s had enough people inside her already.” LOL. She saw me as soon as she arrived, late on Saturday. And early Sunday morning she had me in the OR.

When they do a Roux-en-Y, they tuck part of the intestine behind other organs. Somehow, mine moved and formed an “s” curve. It was a quick surgery. I think a couple of hours or less. And they kept me just long enough to make sure I could eat, and that everything was passing through. I was given food the second day after surgery. There weren’t any complications or cause for concern.

Thanks for reading my novel! Haha. I have mentioned in previous posts, I know some folks who are considering the same surgery. I am trying to share my experience, for their benefit. If you have missed part of the journey, you can follow the links for more.

It’s A New Day
Just Keep Swimming
What You Lookin’ At?

At times, our own light goes out
and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude
of those who have lighted the flame within us.
Albert Schweitzer