Done With Google Blogger

OK..I'll get it off my chest right up front. Last year, my blog was shut down for over a week during their purging process against spam blogs. I was one of many innocent bloggers caught up in this mess.

The only tech support is a blog where you mainly depend on each other for assistance. There is no contact info what so ever where you can ask why or find a solution.

The past three weeks it has been one issue after another. First I was unable to upload images for 3 days, then I could not 'save' my blog post in draft.

Last week...when viewing my blog only about half the images show up on the computer screen and it is still this way. Apparently for viewers the images are there sometimes and others they are not.

Currently... when I go to 'edit' a previously posted article or a blog draft...the screen has only the HTML code...no text and no way to get to the regular text screen.

If I want to create a new post, like now...there is no way to add links, edit text, or add photos...NO WAY TO EDIT at all.  (this miraculously corrected it's self this evening)

Am I angry? Actually I'm just over it. I'm fed up and I'm done. I guess you just can't expect to get help or resolution of issues from a 'free' service.

I have had two blogs for the last few years. My Google Blog and My FASO Studio Blog...that is integrated into my website.

My FASO Studio Blog has always been the most important as it is a category on the Navigation Bar of my website. It isn't just added to the Navigation Bar...it is integrated into the website itself. (the two are a unit) Every time I make a new blog post I am updating my website with pages of searchable text....this is pure SEO juice.

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I'm not going to remove my Google Blog but will gradually be transferring information to the Studio Blog on my website and I will no longer be updating my Google Blog.

MarshaRobinett.com/blog

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Keeping up two blogs has been a challenge...so in some ways this is a blessing.


I know many of you follow this blog...and faithfully leave your comments. I hope you will make note of My Studio Blog address and continue with me there.

For future reference...My Studio Blog address is MarshaRobinett.com/blog

Thank you for understanding...hope to see you at my new address. I'll keep my eye out for you.

God Bless
Marsha

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Matthew 18:3
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4 (in Context)

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A Defining Moment

My life took a detour this year. Health issues stopped me in my tracks. For those who have so faithfully prayed and sent encouraging emails, I thank you.

I still have no answers and the health issues persist. This really hit me hard...emotionally as well as physically. In fact I think the emotional part has proven to be the most difficult to overcome.

I've felt better physically for sometime...but have found it difficult to get back in the swing of things. I haven't blogged or sent a newsletter because I really didn't have anything to talk about except my illness, and it had been magnified enough.

I believe that what we see, hear, and speak effects who we are. If you say a word often enough it becomes you. I had allowed this to happen...I had become my disease. Not to say that what is going on is not serious...I just don't want it to dominate my life any more. I don't want it to be who I am.

When I do have real news or this health issue is resolved...I will let you know. In the mean time, I need to get on with more positive, enriching thoughts and projects.

I have several layouts done for both drawings and paintings and of course lots of ideas in my head. There also are at least two firm commissions waiting for my attention.

I am back...perhaps not as regular as before, but I AM HERE and thankful to be able to say it.

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Proverbs 15:30
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 15:29-31 (in Context)

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The Long Distance Hug

"My Long Distance Hug"

It's been pretty quiet here lately. I've been experiencing some reoccurring health issues the past couple of months that escalated in July, preventing me from working in the salon. I have fortunately been able for the most part continue with my Tech Support job and do a little painting.

I told you about the issue with Shingles in April...well in the last part of May I began to have repeated bouts with diarrhea. It was first diagnosed as diverticulitis. The most recent tests found NO diverticulitis, No polups, No infection, and best of all No Cancer. (no real answers)

I still don't have any definitive answers but have started eating a gluten free diet the last few days and do seem to be edging ever so very slowly to having less pain. Since I'm also on medication I don't know if it is the change in diet or the medication that finally kicked in. Either way I am thankful for the relief.

The pain and diarrhea are at their worst late afternoon, throughout the night and into the mid morning. The flowers you see arrived this Wednesday morning, after a particularly rough night. I was setting at the table wondering how I was going to continue and not sure I wanted to.

My stamina and my energy were tapped out. I was so blessed to know it wasn't cancer but didn't know if I was going to be able to tolerate things until answers came.

You know, GOD does know just what you need and when you need it most.

The doorbell rang and I was handed this beautiful bouquet of flowers sent from my fellow FASO Tech Support Team. They live throughout the US...Texas, California, Colorado, and New York.

The timing was perfect. It was the HUG that I needed...I could almost feel their arms around me as I read the enclosed note.

I have another Dr. appointment Tuesday. Pathology reports should be available then and perhaps some more difinitive answers.

You may not hear much from me here as I work through this. I thank you for your love and prayers.

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Psalm 30:2
O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
Psalm 30:1-3 (in Context)

Following the Doctor's Orders...

...Old Fashioned Iris...
I did this drawing a couple of years ago
and posted it here today because it always makes me feel good.
The starts for this little iris were a gift from
my grandmother when we first got a place of our own.
It went with me each time I moved.
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Well guys...It's been almost a month since I've sat down to write on my blog. The bout I had with the shingles took much more out of me than I thought and I stepped up to my regular schedule way too soon.

I'm not one to be sick or let a little pain keep me from 'life'. Therefore, once the major symptoms were past (fever, nausea, severe headache), I forged ahead...resuming my regular day to day schedule, pushing through the fatigue I felt.

This return to work took much more out of me than I expected and when I complained of lack of energy and stamina along with the continued sporadic nerve ending pain...I was told plain and simple by my Doctor to (slow down and rest more to give my body time to heal)!

I've always had tremendous energy and stamina to push forward through any obstacle to get things done....this experience really through me for a loop! For someone who has always been early to rise and late to bed...burning the candle at both ends, this was a most difficult prescription to follow.

I had to rethink my daily life. Do the things that absolutely NEEDED to be done and let the other things slid. I continued to work my salon schedule (although cut back a bit on the hours) and worked my tech. support job in the evenings...after all the bills did need to be paid!

Backing off from the house work was easy...I hated it anyway and could always find something else more important to do like write in my blog or draw! But I followed my Doctors instructions, putting my creative life on hold to allow for the down time to let my body heal.

You're going to laugh but I actually covered my drawing board with a huge bath towel...so I couldn't see it. I put my paints in the closet and shut the computer off except for work hours.

Well OK...I will confess, I did do some reading on the computer...but no blogging! And, I also did a few quick sketches as I sat in my chair watching TV...that was a change for me, I never watch TV (still not sure I get the attraction).

I usually draw or paint in the early afternoon and on the weekends, but instead actually took a nap or read a book. Yes, the Doctor put a bit of fear in me when he said that if I didn't slow down I may never get over this. I think he said something like "Your body is telling you it needs rest and you need to listen."

I'm not sure I'm up to par quite yet...but do believe at this writing, I'm most definitely getting there. My energy level is returning and plan on getting my paint brushes out tomorrow.

It's awful...I feel like if I don't do something creative I'm going to 'burst'.

Any way...I thought I would sit down and let you know that I had not dropped of the face of the earth and that I hope to be posting a new painting soon.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers and encouraging emails. It's amazing the relationships you can build with people you have never seen or spoken to. You have been such a blessing.

It's just great to be back.

SHINGLES...are not just found on your roof!!

Well, I'm back from NY...actually got home late on the 21st and flew home sick. I started getting sick Friday evening after I arrived. (flu like symptoms, aching and nausea...along with welts on my left eyelid and in the hairline) I had been outside playing catch with my grandson and thought I had been bitten by gnats.

I just kept getting worse and the headache...oh my. We did have my birthday dinner on Saturday, but it was hard to enjoy.

Monday we started looking for a doctor I could go to. The doctor took one look at my forehead, hairline and eye...diagnosed me with SHINGLES and prescribed 'mega antibiotics". I still tried to object, even as I was sent to an eye doctor because of concern that the eye was involved. (I had spots on the lid and it was swollen and itchy). I still thought I had gnat bites!!

The eye doctor confirmed...SHINGLES. The good news was that the eye itself showed no signs of infection. I was to fly back on Tuesday...thought about canceling my flight as I was so sick but I just wanted to get home and to my own bed and my own physicians. (I was told that with 24 hours of antibiotics in me I would not be contagious.)

So, Tuesday morning, looking and feeling pretty rough, I covered the offending part of my forehead and eye with Neosporen...covered that with makeup...carefully combed my hair (the left side of my head was now involved and very sore)...put on some big sunglasses and headed to the airport. (Hoping people would just think that perhaps I was an 'old movie star' and not notice how sick I was.)

After two doctor visits, four appointments with the optomitirst, various antibotics, pain pills, and lots of PRAYERS from everyone... I'm going back to work this week (both Salon and Tech Support).

Despite everything...I am surely blessed. My flight home was good, my eyesight was unaffected, and I have this wonderful support system of friends. They brought in groceries, meals, and took me to my doctor appointments. They called my salon customers...no small job in itself.

Most importantly...they prayed.


It's so good to once again be part of a functioning society...good to be alive!
Sincerely,
Marsha

Flying Out in the morning...to the Big Apple

Just a quick post here to let you know 'my new camera' and I are headed to NY to visit my daughter and grandson. I can hardly wait. I visited Christmas for Teddy's Barmitzvah ...but things were really hectic. There was very little time to just sit and enjoy each other.

This trip is just for pleasure. They live on Long Island, about 4 blocks from the water...you can actually smell the water when you step outside. Wonderful. The weather doesn't sound great but who cares about the weather when you are in good company.

My daughter "the chef" is fixing me a 'live lobster' dinner for my birthday with my favorite desert "coconut cream pie"...can't you just taste it?

The first time she fixed fresh lobster I almost jumped out of my skin...I'm such a midwest country girl at heart. I didn't know you could buy them live and keep them in a box in the frig until time to cook them.

Tami set the box on the table...I didn't know what was in it. When the lobsters got warm, they began to move and the box was jumping around. For a moment I thought perhaps I had had too much Scotch!!!!

My, My, My....I really don't think it gets much better (a little 'good wine', fresh whole lobster, drawn butter, a loaf of hard bread, fresh roasted asparagus and coconut cream pie....all served up with the company of family)

The food alone is worth the trip!!

I will write more in a week or so and hopefully have some pictures to share.

Take care, I will miss everyone.

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I Lost My Best Friend...a tribute to Alexis

Alexis...1994-2009

I remember when Alexis was born. The breeder was a friend and I was showing my boy 'Conrad' at the time. Alexis was the boss of the litter...keeping all her siblings in their places. She had this beautiful little square body, feisty attitude, we could tell she was going to have a wonderful hard coat...the signature for a Standard Schnauzer. Alexis was was the 'pick show female' of the liter.

Alexis was purchased by a man as a 'show' puppy at 8 weeks. She was returned to the breeder at 6 months on the premise that she was 'untrainable'....THE MAN HAD BEATEN HER.

My friend and I were heartbroken...this man had not trained her, he had attempted to force her into submission. She came back a broken abused puppy. She became mine that very weekend.

When I first brought her home she wouldn't even respond to her name and if you picked up a magazine or a yard stick to measure something, she was gone...as far away as she could get. If you moved to quickly, she coward and shook. With love and patience Alexis came out of most of her 'fright' but never returned completely to that trusting little puppy she was when I first saw her.

Conrad, gentleman as he was, allowed Alexis to rule the roost and she certainly did. Her problem was with people not with other dogs and Conrad seemed to understand. He was a stable, soft, gentle spirit...and I think this helped Alexis adjust.

Alexis was the 'first born' and trust me was going to be first in everything in life, and would almost knock Conrad and I down to get there. She was first to get outside, first into the van (to get the best seat), and when we went on walks...she always had to be 'just a little' ahead of Conrad.

When it came to sharing...Alexis didn't. She 'hid' all their toys under the glass top coffee table (as if they were out of sight!). If Conrad had a toy, she would 'steal' it the minuet he wasn't watching and put it in her stash...stand back, take a look, and then readjust it until she was happy that it was appropriately hidden.

Alexis didn't want to share me either. If Conrad and I were 'lovin', Alexis would pester him until he just moved over and let her in. Alexis became my shadow...always wanting to be where I was at and as close as possible. I believe Conrad understood her needs.

When Conrad became sick their rolls reversed...Alexis became devoted to Conrad and mothered and looked after him. She would come get me when he was having one of his spells and mourned him for weeks after he passed away. For a long time after, if I corrected her she would go into the other room and lay in his bed for comfort.

In Conrad's absence she became even more attached to me...bringing joy, laughter, and companionship to my everyday life. Her presence filled the house and today there is such an emptiness.

Alexis had sever liver issues...the tumors grew at a rapid rate causing problems with her other organs. She would have been 16 next month, an age where surgery and treatment were not an option. In the end she and I both knew it was time. She was barely eating and could no longer support herself to go potty. Her organs were shutting down and the ornery little twinkle in her eyes was just not there anymore.

Her last night, she wanted in bed with me. I put a piece of plastic down and a blanket on top...we just cuddled. In the morning I took her to the vet and stayed with her while the sedative was administered. "My last act of love for my Best Friend."

I've been through this too often. Even though you know it's the right thing, it's so hard. The quiet in my home is deafening. The void is palpable. I just hate it.