Time off for Christmas!

Wow - it's been quite a while since I've posted. No doctor news to report, as I cancelled my appt. in Boston on the 20th, but will head out there soon. I have an appt. with Dr. Stram on the 17th (I think!). I've figured out some things with the gluten free diet - but am still struggling with diet issues. Hopefully, they will all become clear on the 17th when my blood test results will be back. In the meantime, Wayne (my chiropractor) asked if I would talk with another patient of his that was just diagnosed with BC, who wants to do alternative therapies. I've had several chats with her as she goes through the decision making process. It's so different with each person - but my advice to her was to just wait until she was sure of something before she makes a decision....not to let them railroad her into rushing if she wasn't ready. I remember what it felt like to bounce from dr to dr. and test to test - very frustrating, but I know she'll make the right choices for her in the long run. I'll try to be more active here as I go back to the docs this month and get more results. Hope everyone had a nice Christmas - and wishing everyone a fabulous new year. I'm getting ready for our Spirit Thursday Christmas party Sat night - that should be fun! till then... Namaste, Kathi

SOLD stickers

Wow - it's been almost a week since I've posted. That's because I've been SO busy getting ready for my Studio Open House. I can't believe the response - I've already sold 27 paintings! So at least I know ahead of time that it's a success. I wondered when I did this if I might get just a few people and sell $50 worth of art, and spend $100 on food and wine, and just tire myself out. But clearly, it was a good idea. Thanks to Bob for convincing me I should do this when I wasn't sure. Cleaning my house is the worst part - You all know how good I am with that! Hey - I'll bet those good housekeepers can't paint either LOL!!! I think I'm in good shape - we'll see. I think there may be a lot of people coming. It should be interesting. In all this confusion though - I'm feeling a bit guilty. The new doc changed the foods I'm supposed to eat until he gives me my final diet, and I haven't had food in my house that fits that bill, so I've been cheating more than I would like this week. I tried my first gluten free bread this morning - Yuuck!!!! I bought two loaves - one made with tapioca and one with brown rice - I think I'd rather go without bread!!! But then what do I put my tuna and peanut butter on??? All things I need to figure out - but I honestly haven't had time. It seems as I get older, I can only focus on one thing at a time, and this week, it's been the open house. Thank you everyone who purchased paintings. The whole idea of doing this was to payfor my medical bills so I wouldn't be stressed about them. I haven't added it all up yet, but I'm pretty sure I've paid up all my past bills and have some extra to put towards future ones. I may even take a huge step and spend $250 on getting my passport as a serious intention to fulfill the first thing on my bucket list, which is to go to Tuscany. Ok, break over - back to work now. more SOLD stickers to put up, and more cleaning to do (yuck!)

Convenient Confusion~

Seems to be a little pause here in the flow of things. Friday I went to have my bloodwork done, only to find that I was supposed to have fasted. The doc never mentioned that - so that was a waste of time. Later, I noticed some notes he made in my paperwork that indicated other dietary suggestions. But some were a bit inconsistent with the notes he gave me from the nutritionist. So between the nutritionist, the doc notes, and what my previous guys had been telling me - I'm completely confused. So I used that conveniently to cheat on my anniversary dinner with Bob Friday night at One Caroline, and yesterday when we went to a reception for his friend Bill, who had a military commission ceremony yesterday (Sorry - I can't remember what title he had now!) Today, I'll have church, then a choir rehearsal, then off to Bob's cousin's house in Cheshire MA for a holiday party. I'll try to be good this afternoon. But I'm going to have to sit down and figure out just what diet I'm on until I get the results of the tests back, and see doc end of Jan. I suppose this is a conventient time to have questions - during the holidays. But i have to remember that ther reason I'm doing this is to keep cancer away, and I'm grateful to have the option to do it this way rather than with chemo.

I've now sold 6 paintings from my open house show, and could have sold another but it was already gone. Now to stay home long enough to clean my house and get it ready for the show!!!
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. Be sure to stop by for some wine next Sunday - whether or not you need a painting!
Noel Noel!
K