It almost feels like we’re getting a whole new house. Woo-hoo!

Hi, people … I’m back! It’s been a whole week since my last post, and that’s due to: 1) a bunch of very shitty health issues; 2) requiring an inordinate amount of sleep; and 3) concentrating on a variety of creative projects in-between sleeping and vomiting. I’ll elucidate for you below. Thank you.

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I’ll begin with the most troubling issue: BURNING BLADDER SPASMS. They’re back! I’m up to about eight to 10 spasms a day now, and that’s a significant increase from just a week ago when I only had three or four. And they’re also getting stronger. However, I’m hesitant to start taking Tolterodine again because it triggers migraine headaches. I’d rather have burning bladder spasms than a migraine! (I can’t believe I just typed that sentence.)

In addition to the aforementioned spasms I’ve also been battling some DIGESTIVE DIFFICULTIES again, including the inability to swallow food, chest pressure, throwing up saliva, choking, gagging and eventually falling asleep with a bowl under my chin. I absolutely hate this.

Ever since my scary “decline” hoo-hah earlier this month [see post] I find that I’m SLEEPING A LOT MORE hours that usual, including six- or seven-hour naps immediately after lunch that consume most of my daylight hours. I absolutely hate this, too!

And finally, I’m also battling SUMMER ALLERGIES — watery eyes, nasal drip, hacking cough — and rather severe “electric shocks” in my feet, hands, wrists and thighs from DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY.

This is driving me crazy already, but I don’t know how to break the cycle!

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Attention, shoppers! I just finished designing — and uploading the artwork for — more than 85 beautiful new iPhone cases for The Howdygram Store on Zazzle’s Internet marketplace*. A few sample designs appear below for your possible interest. Please note that all of these are available in multiple color options!

If you sign up for Zazzle’s promotional emails (scroll to the bottom of their home page) you’ll always know when everything goes on sale … typically up to 50% off multiple times every year. This is a terrific way to stock up on greeting cards, birthday presents, gifts and stocking stuffers for the holidays and so on. Shop The Howdygram Store for the cutest merchandise on the planet!

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I’m excited about today’s gang of free fonts because it includes a smattering of everything … elegant scripts (“Bianca,” “Notetail”), bold scripts (“Junius,” “Vrindals”), a layered script with a fabulous extruded shadow (“Silent Fighter”), hand-drawn display fonts (“Forgotten,” “Tropical”) and a terrific typewriter font (“Italian Typewriter”) with real italics. In case you give a crap, all of the scripts include lots of swashy things and ritzy character endings. Download links will appear after the graphic. (You’re welcome.)

Cute Be Special • Channelley • Bianca/Forgotten Bundle
Silent Fighter • Notetail • Junius • Revla Slab • Vrindals • Chunky • Tropical
Creative Twister • Italian Typewriter

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Because I’m ready to start designing another several dozen greeting cards (including a new line of cards for the holidays), yesterday I treated myself to a few more collections of graphic assets from my favorite artists at Etsy.com. These include everything pictured below …

• 18 vintage ivory damask backgrounds
• 18 cloudy pastel backgrounds
• 100 seamless burlap backgrounds
• 100 seamless kraft paper backgrounds
• 100 seamless wood backgrounds
• a gigantic bundle of 165 floral bouquets in amazing colors
• Christmas clipart with coordinating seamless background patterns
• a collection of cute Christmas red birds
• a collection of 12 red Christmas ornaments

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There was a lot of commotion here on Wednesday related to exterior projects around the house … such as a NEW CHIMNEY and a NEW GARAGE DOOR, both courtesy of our homeowners’ insurance for hail damage from earlier in the year. And back in July we had a new roof installed and our cedar fence repaired and restained. The only hail-related projects left on the list are new rain gutters and new solar screens, which should be installed within the next few days according to our contractor.

This has been extremely exciting and (best of all) TOTALLY FREE … and it almost feels like we’re getting a whole new house! Woo-hoo!

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Thank you for reading this. I have to eat a bowl of peas now.