Lois Martin

There's Hope in Arkansas

New Digs

Yes, I moved to a different airbnb and I’m happy to say I love it 😃

It’s another studio flat which is perfect for one or two persons. I love them because I’ve always loved cozy spaces. Look how cute it is:

One thing I do miss from the last place is the big, comfortable sofa. This one has a lovely green love seat which is not conducive to me stretching out on but it’s OK, I can manage with the bed.

And best of all… I have a real refrigerator/freezer combo instead of the undercounter refrigerator which I made work but I sure have missed having a freezer.

As you can see from the dog bowls, the owners are pet-friendly and they have a dog of their own, Augie, who I’m hoping to meet sometime while I’m here.

The studio flat is a converted garage space so the owners live on the other side of that black curtain (there’s a door behind it). This setup is very similar to my last place.

Week 14 At The Clinic

I had an evaluation last week and received the report on Monday of this week. It indicates 9 weeks of treatment left.

The report I received a month ago after an evaluation indicated 7 more weeks. At that time I decided I’d add 4 weeks to the original estimate of 12 weeks for a total of 16 weeks and if by then I’m experiencing significant pain drops that hold for more than a day, I’ll consider extending my stay once again.

I’m sticking to that plan. As much as I want to be free of this pain, I can’t stay here for an indefinite amount of time. I have responsibilities at home to get back to. That means that starting next week I’ll have 2 more weeks to see some progress.

This past week has been good in that I did not experience the pain flares I had been having every day after neuromuscular re-education (NMR). I do have pain drops during my NMR treatment but they only last for 30 minutes to an hour and then I’m back up to a 5.

That means I’m pretty much where I started here 14 weeks ago. I did have another NMR therapist on Monday (Kacee) who put her head together with Bianka and they changed course a bit with placement of the electrodes and the overall treatment. Apparently, that made the difference in not having post-treatment flares.

So we’ll see what happens in the next couple of weeks. The clock is ticking ⏰⏳.

I’m still hopeful and praying for pain drops and I know a lot of you are praying for me, too 😊. I appreciate it very much 💗.

Very Exciting Bird News on Both Fronts!!

For those of you who are not interested in this week’s bird update (you shall be considered bird-haters), you might as well exit out right now because for those of us who do not have sociopathic tendencies, I’ve saved the best for last.

Fayetteville Cardinals

Last week I reported that in the tree outside my original airbnb, mama cardinal was sitting on two eggs. Well, get this… the eggs hatched two days before I had to leave!! I got to see the baby birds in the nest when the mama was away aaaaaand you get to see them, too, because I got video! 😁

Pretty little things, aren’t they? 😅

One of them is sleeping but you can see the other one moving around. I’m so happy I got to see them before I moved.

I was determined to get a photo of papa cardinal so one afternoon I kept watch, looking out my glass door every few minutes and I spotted him!! As soon as I went out the door to get closer, he flew into a tree.

I wanted a closer photo so I stalked that bird all afternoon 😂. He was all over the place… in the yard, in the street, in the trees. I finally got a decent photo of him in the yard.

Well, of course, that wasn’t enough. I wanted to get a photo of the mama and papa birds together so more stalking and I got it!! They aren’t real close together but I got them in the same shot 😊.

I’m tired just thinking about chasing those birds around. Sadly, because I’ve moved, there will most likely be no more cardinal reports.

Unless… I could always make a quick run by the old place to see how the baby cardinals are progressing 🧐. What do you guys think? Would that be too stalkerish?

Indio Hummingbirds

You are just not going to believe the development at home with regard to our hummingbird nest. Are you ready??

We have TWO baby hummingbirds for the first time ever! Twins!!

My awesome husband has been keeping me updated on a regular basis so we can all thank him for the photo and videos 🥰.

Two sets of beaks up!

Here they are moving around…

I can’t imagine how there’s going to be enough room in that tiny nest for two birds when they start getting bigger.

Their beaks are open, waiting to be fed. So, here you go…

Twin baby hummingbirds, we are so proud 😊

loismartin3234

14 responses to “New Digs”

  1. Sandie Young Avatar
    Sandie Young

    I love your new little cozy place! So colorful! I agree with you as well – you need to be back here! We all miss you. I want the treatment to work, obviously, but, life dictates some parameters! So, I will plug the prayers in more powerfully these next couple of weeks! Love you, Sandie

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    Thank you Lois for your update. Love the bird stories, pictures and videos. I’m an animal lover so I so enjoy the variety of birds we have in our desert.
    Praying for your continued recovery and not to be discouraged by set backs which seem to be part of the process.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. loismartin3234 Avatar
    loismartin3234

    Thank you, Sandie! 💓

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  4. loismartin3234 Avatar
    loismartin3234

    Thanks so much, Margaret! 😊

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  5. Tracy Hartman Avatar
    Tracy Hartman

    Hi Lois, I love birds too and while out in the fields Plein Air painting landscapes, I get lots of bird visitors. I worked 20 years ago in a law office with huge ceiling to floor glass panels next to my desk. At the top of an Organ Pipe broken cactus (about 4 feet off the ground and full of stickers to discourage any cats) I noticed a hummingbird was adding stuff to a blob of what looked like mud. It was probably regurgitated food from the adult bird, but it looked like mud. In about 7 days the nest was built. Then activity calmed. The mother sat on what turned out to be three eggs. Another bird (papa?) kept bringing food to mama and after three weeks Mama began feeding their wiggling beaks. Clients began stopping by my desk to peer into the nest and many asked me to send out a group email when I saw the birds actually fly. But, sadly, I came in after a weekend and the nest was smashed flat. We never knew if it was a cat attack, a large bird attack or a tremendous wind gust, but all birds were gone and never came back. Sad ending…. But I want to send you encouraging words for pain relief as so many are praying for you. Sometimes as we are ready to give up, just a little longer victory comes. I wish you VICTORY SOON.
    Love and more prayers, Tracy Hartman

    Liked by 1 person

  6. loismartin3234 Avatar
    loismartin3234

    Your new place is adorable! I wondered what was behind the black curtain, glad to know there’s an actual door not just a curtain separating you from your hosts! Love the bird pics, especially the hummingbirds! Tell WC he did good! Hoping for a serious drop in your pain level! Miss you, hugs

    Liked by 1 person

  7. loismartin3234 Avatar
    loismartin3234

    Thank you, Kris! I will tell WC, he’s doing a great job in all things. Miss you, too 🥰

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  8. loismartin3234 Avatar
    loismartin3234

    Thank you, Tracy! Awe, that is sad 😞. That happened to us last year, too, with one unhatched egg in the nest. The only thing we can think of that could get it is a roadrunner. They are relentless at getting at hummingbird nests and even though ours is up high and protected by the beam above it with nothing for a critter to run along on to get to it, I guess a roadrunner could fly directly up from the ground and get it. Anyway, my husband is trying to keep an eye on it, he already shoo’d away a roadrunner who seemed a little too interested in the nest. Thanks so much for your encouragement, I appreciate it very much, Tracy 💗

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  9. Marlene Avatar
    Marlene

    A lot of us in sash have flying grasshopper on our screens and sticking to the stucco. We have never had these bugs as long as O have lived here almost 18 years. A lot of neighbors say the same thing. I hope you get the pain relief you are looking for this week. Prayers are with you.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. loismartin3234 Avatar
    loismartin3234

    Well, Marlene… I can’t say I’m sorry to be missing out on the flying, sticking grasshoppers 😬. Thanks for your encouragement and prayers. 😊

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  11. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Hi Jamie,
    I was really hoping to hear your positive attitude regarding your treatment. Hang in there. A 5 in pain is still a lot better than the higher numbers you had when you first went in. I LOVE the bird stories. You know I love my little critters.
    Nancy

    Liked by 1 person

  12. loismartin3234 Avatar
    loismartin3234

    I know you do, Nancy! A 5 is for sure better than a 6 or a 7, you are so right 😊

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  13. Angie Girl Avatar
    Angie Girl

    My Dear friend…Love the new boho Pad and Im really glad you feel comfortable there…All I can say about all the Bird stalking is GOOD JOB….the photos were wonderful and a BIG yes to go bck and check on them again!!!!~ pain pain go away is my new chant…..luv/hugs and a Daisy girl whoop whoop…xoxoA…..

    Liked by 1 person

  14. loismartin3234 Avatar
    loismartin3234

    Thank you, Angie Girl… that’s all the confirmation I need to go check up on our birds 😊. I’m a fan of your new chant… whoop whoop from one Daisy girl to another 🌼🌼🥰😘

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