I have a 4 shaft, direct tie-up folding Dorset Loom that I purchased about 4 years ago. It is a great little loom but I've wanted a loom with more shafts for a while. 

Having a minimum of 8 shafts would be great but more is always better! Then there is the size - I would want a weaving width that this wider than the Dorset which is about 20", as I think I would do some rugs, and for that the loom has to be floor loom. Then should it fold or be fixed. Either way the loom can get rather big. I have the space in the house for it but when I retire and if we move, would I have the space for it then?? And then there is the cost - they are not cheap used and finding a used one locally (so I don't have shipping costs) is not easy.

And... if the new loom could be folded, would I sell the Dorset???

Since I have been weaving down at the Barn, I have been on an 8 shaft loom that has about a 3 foot (plus some) weaving width.  I have realized that having access to this loom would allow me to weave those rugs...

So I began to rethink my loom requirements.  An 8 shaft loom would be nice so it is now down to size. Having portability would be really nice so I set my sights on a Mighty Wolf: 8 shafts, 10 treadles, 36" wide. I could do scarves, small rugs, table sets, fabric for my sewing.....

                   ohhhh, be still my palpitating heart.

I started to stalk eBay, Craig's List, Weaving Store websites, used equipment sites hoping to snag one.

Then this past Sunday, I found on eBay a used 16-Shaft loom.

YES 16 SHAFTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is a Northwest Loom Pioneer table loom that has a weaving width of 20". So I snagged it for $350 which is half of what it would cost new.  I figure if I want to make something more than 20" I can do a double width and still have 8 shafts!

I can pick the loom up as it is within an hour drive of my house. I am now working out when to go get it . I expect to have it in about a week. Here is a picture

I was back at the cardiologist on Tuesday morning.  This was a follow up to see how the BP medication was working. It has helped some but not quite enough as my diastolic readings are still high and the pains and palpitations have not abated. 

As are result the Doctor has put me on a calcium channel blocker. It will do two things, lower my bp a bit more  and hopefully reduce the pains the palpitations.   If the channel blocker doesn't seem to help in two weeks I am to up the dose.   I am also supposed to continue monitoring my BP and write down when I have events.

My next follow up is 2 months unless things do not get better and at that time she would consider a long term heart monitor and possibly an angio as it would be the last test to do. 

Oh, and in the mean time, I should also see my GP and have myself checked for esophageal problems. I guess some people have bad heart burn, spasms, etc... and it can appear to the person as palpitations and pains. And we need to rule that out just to be thorough  

BUT the Doctor is not denying that I have a heart issue as there is my high blood pressure and the traces from the EKG do show something going on.

So I started the CB Wednesday and I have been even more tired for the past few days. I think my body has adjusted to the meds because I was not as tired when I woke up this morning.   

All of this means still taking it easy, lots of sleep and no metal working for a while longer. 

The Heart:
I have been on the BP medications for almost a month now.  I have been recording my BP almost every day and yes I am feeling somewhat better but then there are days I feel horrible.  

I am going see my endocrinologist on Friday the 9th and then back to the cardiologist the following week. I am seeing the endo to ensure that my thyroid meds and the hormone replacements I am taking are not too hight as they can cause heart palpitations.  

Depending on those results, the cardiologist will either increase/decrease/change my blood pressure meds and/or add a channel blocker and possibly schedule an angiogram to determine if the doctors can actually see some problem - as we still don't know why this is happening.   

Some days I feel like I am handling it all well and other days I just want it to be over. 

The Weaving:
And yes, the weaving is calmer and more relaxing that hammering away on metal. That has to do with keeping my BP down and how tired I get. The added benefit is that when I am down at the weaving barn I am socializing (and not with friends from work) and making new friends. Some of the ladies at the barn have been weaving for almost 40 years and I am the "kid" of the group!!!

I just finished the scarf for Myra - I put pictures on my FB feed last night. It is 80" long, I think that she will be able to wrap that around her neck several times! 

I am also doing some chain maille (weaving of a different sort). I made a dragon scale bracelet for me - which I ended up selling to a friend. I am now making another dragon scale for another woman at work and another one for me. PLUS I am working on a Byzantine bracelet today which is yet another sale!