Who’s Cali?

Cali’s Art Studio is dedicated to me. Kind of selfish, huh? Well, in all fairness I do include links to other people. Does that help any?

So who is Cali? I’m a redhead over the age of 13. I’ve lived in over 30+ homes mostly in the West, though I have lived in Oklahoma and lived in Argentina for 5 months. I love a good book, which for me means it is either funny (am I too young to fully appreciate Erma Bombeck?), or it has a great message–something that makes me say, “Hmmm. . . I wonder. . . ” I also love art. That’s a given, though right? It’s on the blog banner.

I have a shop on Etsy.com where I sell my artwork as note cards. Why Etsy? Without making this a sob story (ugh! please!), here’s the insider information. While visiting Argentina 10 years ago, I became very ill. I returned home unable to care for myself for over a year. After a couple of years I was able to work part-time and eventually full-time. The health problems still existed, but somehow I was able to cope. After six years I was feeling much better and was working as an office manager at a landscape architect firm. (Loved it!) Two years later I was sitting in my church services and suddenly felt very ill again. I attempted returning to work, but I just couldn’t make it. The company I worked for was so generous, they held my job for three months in hopes my health would improve. My health only worsened.

Another two years later and I’m still too ill to work. But! I am regaining some of my energy. Hallelujah! With the health I have regained, I decided to see if I couldn’t find a way to raise money to see doctors. That is why I began selling on Etsy. And there it is.

So, don’t end on a sad note. Go back to my blog and read something silly or fun I’ve written, for heaven’s sake!

[March 2010] UPDATE!

A doctor has diagnosed me (finally!!! after 10 years!!) with Tropical Sprue. “Tropical what?!” you ask? Tropical Sprue. It is very rare except with natives of tropical regions. The only reason this doctor new of it is because he used to serve in the US Navy and has treated one other case, years ago. The treatment seems to be working though we’ve had to do it longer than the doc expected we should. I’ll update this again in the future.

[June 2010] UPDATE!

I have been doing so much better on the antibiotics and folic acid my doctor prescribed! My 5 year old nephews have been surprised to see me drive and play with them more. I sure have missed tickling and teasing my boys! It’s so nice to be able to participate with my family again. Hooray for the medical profession! I’m still not even 90%, but I’m sure on my way. I’m always on the lookout for useful information on the subject, too, so if you’ve spent 5 years studying tropical sprue in a foreign country I think we should be friends. I still have a long way to go. Thank goodness for what has been found, though! Seriously! Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who has visited my Etsy shop. It’s actually been a lot of fun to create things and sell them in such a fun environment as Etsy.