Maranda Russell's Blog, page 24
April 2, 2020
Quarantine and Writer’s Block
[image error]
I’m having one of those days where I just don’t know what to write. Nothing good comes to mind. I don’t really want to share art or poetry today, but I don’t feel like I have much else to share lol. I guess I could write about a few mundane things going on in my quarantined life right now…
One of my poor kitties has a huge hematoma (blood-filled cyst) on his ear. We already took him to the vet and they gave him a shot and some medicine, hoping it would shrink, but so far, nothing has effected it. If it doesn’t change by next week, they will have to do surgery to remove it and his ear will always be disfigured. I feel bad for him. His poor ear is flopped over from the weight of the hematoma and he looks like he is in discomfort from it
March 31, 2020
Poetry – Tip Her
[image error]
(The following slightly risque poem was inspired by a passage from Ulysses by James Joyce, which turned out to be a lot dirtier (and nonsensical) than I thought it would be lol.)
Stop. Knocking.
Silly man!
Want women by the score?
Quit throwing flowers
at their feet
and singing sappy
songs outside
in your feathered cap.
Gifts? Words? Music?
No.
Tip her.
Tap her.
Top her.
March 29, 2020
3 Mixed Media ACEO Sticker Collages
Here is a look at a few mixed media ACEO sticker collages I have made and put up for sale! Let me know which one you like the best!
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
Check out my art for sale on my Ebay!
March 27, 2020
Park Outing Photos
Since Ohio is under a shelter in place order right now, we aren’t allowed to go many places. The grocery store, the pharmacy, and local parks as long as there aren’t too many people already there (and yes, park rangers are turning people away after they reach a certain limit). Anyhow, my husband and I went to a nearby park and I took a few fun pics:
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
March 25, 2020
March 23, 2020
Ohio Coronavirus Lockdown – How I’m Coping
[image error]
Here in Ohio we are now in an official lockdown, where only essential business is allowed to be out and about. I don’t have any official business, so I’m stuck at home lol. Being home all the time does start to get to you after a little bit. You don’t realize how much even small things, like being able to go to a restaurant, sit down, and eat affect your mood until you can no longer do them.
On the positive side, I am trying to stay busy. Today I did some cleaning and organizing around the house and it felt REALLY good. I would definitely recommend it to others stuck at home. Doing stuff like that makes you feel like you are accomplishing something, and it feels great to look around afterwards and see the change your cleaning up has made.
I’ve also been reading some, doing a lot of social media gazing, watching tik tok dances (a guilty pleasure of mine), doing puzzle books, and I took a few paid product review jobs through Upwork, just for something to do and to make a few extra dollars. So far I’ve signed on to review several supplements/vitamins (I loved the hemp gummies!), books, wrinkle reducing masks, a nail decorating kit, and a kebob maker. Hey, I get lots of free stuff that way too!
So how are you all doing? Are you under quarantine? If so, what are you doing to stay busy? Are you having any trouble with depression or anxiety? I know I have at times.
March 21, 2020
Poetry – Beauty and the Beast
[image error]
I already told this story
but if you insist,
here it is again
condensed
into one word –
bestiality.
March 19, 2020
My LetsGetChecked Hormone Test Results!
[image error]
As I told you guys in a previous post, I partnered with LetsGetChecked.com, an online business that makes medical testing at home convenient and easy. They offer a wide range of tests, everything from sexual health tests to male/female specific testing, and wellness tests (all privacy guaranteed).
As I do with any business I promote, I used their service myself to make sure it was a good deal. I decided to do their female hormone test, as I have suspected for a while that I might be going into early menopause. The test did show an abnormality, but not in the way I was expecting at all! I figured if anything, my levels might be low, but I was wrong.
The test measures 4 biomarkers – Lutenising Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Prolactin, and Estradio. Three of the levels were normal, but my Prolactin level was actually pretty high. Quite a bit over the average level. Normally this level is high during pregnancy and after birth (neither apply to me lol). Prolactin can also be high due to various health issues and medicine side effects.
Since one of the health issues that can make Prolactin levels high is hypothyroidism (which I do have a history of), I definitely need to see my doctor and have that looked into. If it isn’t that or one of the other health problems, it is likely my medicine – probably the psych meds from what I read online after researching my test results.
High Prolactin levels can cause the menstrual symptoms I attributed to early menopause (skipping or irregular periods, irritability, acne, hot flashes, night sweats, etc.), so this might be the answer I was looking for, even if it is unexpected. I am really glad I had it checked!
If you decide to try out one of the tests on LetsGetChecked.com, please use the code marandarussell20 for 20% off your purchase!
March 17, 2020
Childhood Dreams Realized
You know one awesome aspect of being an adult who collects toys? You can make your childhood dreams come true by buying yourself the toys you wanted most while a kid but never got for one reason or another.
One doll I desperately wanted as a little kid was a Kid Sister doll. For some reason, it just wasn’t meant to be way back then, but I have one now! Just bought this little beauty on Ebay – a rare splurge for myself!
[image error]
Were there any toys you wanted badly as a kid but never got? If you came across it today would you be tempted to get it for yourself?
March 15, 2020
Cookie Monster and Elmo in Wonderland
I don’t know about you, but I need something cheerful to look at lol. With the Coronavirus apocalypse upon us, I want something that will make me smile and remind me of the cute, simple things in life. So today I’m sharing a couple coloring pictures from my Sesame Street Abby in Wonderland coloring book (by the way, coloring is a great relaxing activity if you find yourself stuck at home in quarantine!).
First, we have the Cookie Monster starring as the Cheshire Cat:
[image error]
And here we have Elmo starring as the white (er, red?) rabbit:
[image error]
