Emily March Fans discussion
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My dearest friends....I NEED advice. I wasn't going to ask y'all and have tried all I know to do. I have a bad feeling so I can't keep it to myself any more. The stakes are too high...
Its my daughter, Sarah Faith, she has "acted out" on occasion since Heather got sick. One time right after Heathers heart attack she looked right at the store manager and tried to pocket a pack of gum. She gave it right back and admitted to the manager that she didnt know why she did it but did it anyway even though she knew it was wrong and that I would've bought her tje gumm if shed have asked. Then about a year ago she was hanging out with girls that had a lot of drama. One of the girls convinced Sarah to bring alcohol to school. By the start of second period she went to the principal and told on herself. She was suspended for 10 days even though they appreciated her honesty, she still brought it to school and gave the beer to another student. They tested her and there was no alcohol in her system, (cry for help??? Maybe) The last couple months have been hard. She wasn't cleaning her room and she and her sisters are severely allergic to dust amoung other things. Since the girls are all older we (their Dad and I) leave their room alone and respect their privacy. Well about 6 weeks ago Michael had tucked Heather in and Sarahs door was open and her room was trashed. He gave her a week to get it clean. When 9 days went by and she hadnt even tried to clean her room, so Michael told me to clean her room while she's in school the next day. It took me from 8 am to 3 pm to clean her room. I found some of my belongings in her room. (The girls arent allowed in my and Michaels master bedroom/bathroom. Its a privacy thing for Michael and we have the firearms in our room. ) Some of my jewelry, lingerie, clothes and a couple of my treasured coins that were my grandmothers were in her room. I allow the girls to look at the coins but at the kitchen table and then I will put them back away. She has started sassing me, minorly talking back, rolling her eyes, being rude to Sam and mumbling under her breath. When I ask for her help with something she sighs dramatically and then "I have to use the bathroom first" she says or some other delay and she never comes back BUT when her Dad ( or any of our circle of friends calls and ) asks for her to do something she's like " sure Daddy" and does it right away. She will be 18 in May. Is she going through a phase? Could it be senoritis even though she's a junior? I've tried kindness, I have tried rewarding or grounding (taking her phone or ipad away), tough love etc... I even took her to her psychologist to talk. I am at the end of my ideas. Sarah has always been independent and her own person with her own opinions and we have always been close but I feel a distance growing between us that scares me. Please advise me. Did any of you go through anything similar with your children? What should I be doing to make this better or for things to go back the way they were? Prayers are appreciated since I have been prayong on this for weeks with no answers.
Love to all amd thanks for listening.
Distressed Mom in NC (guess I wont be winning any "Mom of the year" titles any time soon.)
Paula wrote: "I'm wondering if there's anything we can do on this side of the pond to support Mark & Judy. I'm part of a book promotion that benefits cancer charities in the U.K...coming up soon. I'll put the li..."Dear Paula,
I am sorry you are feeling " under the weather" as my Grandma Edith would say. According to our doctor this is one of the worst "flu" seasons for a few years now. The fluA and flu B, strep, pneumonia and sinus infections are running rampant. I had strep and scarlet fever the whole month of January, my Sarah and Sam have had walking pneumonia the last 2 weeks and Heather has had sinus infection. Today I super cleaned, lysoling the whole house, washing bedding and even shampooed carpets. Hopefully this is the last of the illnesses in our house.
I also started and transplanted some plants this weekend which was fun and geared me up for spring so we weekend did have fun parts to it. Did they prescribe a zpack for you? Feel better soon. Be kind to yourself and dont run yourself too thin.
I am going to donate under Emilys walk. I think I have the link figured out now. (Thanks Linda and Lola for your help with understanding which "donate" button to click.)
I am in complete agreement that I want to do something to really help Mark and Judy and Lesley (I love you Lesley! :) ) I had an idea but not sure how we can work it. I know a few of us sew. There is a church group here that makes "prayer shawls" ,"prayer lap quilts" and "prayer quilts" that they take to the hospitals and hand out to the patients. There is also a group that makes handpainted scarves and knit caps for the cancer patients. I would be glad to make any of those and send them to Mark and Judy and Lesley. Maybe all of us could send an uplifting card to Paula that could be included in the box for Mark, Judy and Lesley. Or the quilt could be signed with well wishes from each of us or a special gift, maybe include a book that would lift their spirits. My aunt Cynthia just recovered from colon cancer, she said her best inspiration came from a package with a small lap quilt with a jigsaw puzzle, Suduko book and a Thomas Kincaid reading book. Her second favorite was a whole season of Heartland dvds. OR we could send a care package. We could add something from each of us to a box to be sent to them like the care packages we send our troops overseas. Well thats about it for my ideas. Ooo one more, if we decide to do the "small gift from each of us thing" we could order something from Amazon prime and have it drop shipped to Lesley and she could (not trying to volunteer you Lesley but its just an idea) put the gifts in a box for Judy and a box for Mark and distribute the gifts as they come in. It would be something for her family to look forward to and it would be like a mini birthday or special surprise each time something came.
Meanwhile we girls will continue to pray for all of you.
Love and hugs,
Jina and the girls
Ps I love the show "Are you being served?" Or Carol Burnett show or that bbc show where the guy is dressed up in dresses and has a friend and they act like older ladies. I see some snippets on Facebook of the show. Some of you may have seen them like the one where the guy thats dressed like an older woman has a gastrointestinal issue and instead of spraying air freshener in "areas" he sprays an aerosol glue and gets "stuck" (thighs stuck together) etc... Laughter is a wonderful medicine.Love to all,
Jina
Paula wrote: "I'm wondering if there's anything we can do on this side of the pond to support Mark & Judy. I'm part of a book promotion that benefits cancer charities in the U.K...coming up soon. I'll put the li..."Paula & ladies, Thank you for all your wonderful thoughts & offers to support Judy, Mark & myself. As I know many of you have 'your own cross to bear' in various ways, please do not think me ungrateful but just knowing you are praying for them and are there for my to 'off-load' to is sufficient. If anyone would really like to do something I feel sure that they would rather that you donate, if you want to and can afford to do so without causing yourself problems, to a Cancer Research Charity in the USA so that a cure/better treatment can be found so that as few people as possible have to suffer from this dreadful disease.
Hope you soon feel better Paula, we have also had a terrible flu season in the UK this year & several members of our family have been 'knocked for six' with it. The problem is this year it keeps coming back in different versions & takes so long to get rid of.
I am not having much luck settling to read at the moment as my mind doesn't seem to want to settle. I am trying to read three books by Katy Regnery at the moment, Don't Speak and It's You 1 & 2. Trouble is I cann't seem to get into them at the moment. I have just read Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh and I loved it found that earier to read.
I may not be around much in the next few days as we are going to see Mark for a few days on Wednesday and am not sure when we are coming back.
Thank you once again for all your love & support. Love to you all from Lesley xx
Jina wrote: "My dearest friends....I NEED advice. I wasn't going to ask y'all and have tried all I know to do. I have a bad feeling so I can't keep it to myself any more. The stakes are too high...
Its my daug..."
Jina, I'm sorry you are having a difficult time with Sarah Faith at the moment and I'm struggling to offer you any ideas of a way forward. Is there anyone that you can think of that she might be willing to talk to to try & find out why she is acting the way she is? Just a thought, is she perhaps a little jealous of the time you have to spend with her sisters & is acting out to gain attention?
Thank you for your lovely thoughts & ideas in respect of Judy & Mark. Please see my response to Paula in this respect.
Hope things soon settle down for you. Love from Lesley x
Lesley wrote: "Jina wrote: "My dearest friends....I NEED advice. I wasn't going to ask y'all and have tried all I know to do. I have a bad feeling so I can't keep it to myself any more. The stakes are too high....."
Dear Lesley (and group),
I didnt sleep well so I decided to make the prayer quilts for Mark, Judy and Lesley. I need to know favorite colors or theme. For instance a nautical one with boats a lighthohse etc... or dogs whatever he likes and maybe gardening or favorite flowers or hello kitty for Judy and a book quilt or something for Lesley. Any input will help. Also, I am the type of person who HAS to have a weighted blanket to be able to sleep. Let me know if Mark or Judy experience a sense of calm when they have a weighted blanket.
Thank you for your kindness about Sarah. We had something weird happen with her today. She has clinicals at an elementary school in the morning then she rides the bus back to school for her last two classes. I got a phone call from the school around 1 oclock. Sarah hasnt reported to her 3 class. Did I know where she was? I said she should be in schpol. He said she had made it to campus after clinicals and no one has seen her since. She was officially regarded as skipping and missing. I told him that I was on my way to help and sped to school. By this time I was in tears thinking the worse. Mr Joyner the vice principal was waiting for me at the double doors. We searched tpgether all the bathrooms asked all the hall monitors etc... after he and I left the cafeteria I got a call from Sarah. She was in the office. When Mr J and I got to the office we went into his office and demanded to know where she had been for an hour and a half. She said she had been throwing up in the bathroom. Which was dang near impossible since we had searched them and she hadnt been in there and hall monitors hadnt seen her. Mr J is going to watch the surveillance cameras and track her and call me when he knows where she had been. For right now she is on In School suspension tomorrow but if the cameras show she lied she is in much more trouble.
I am praying shes telling the truth and we just missed each other.
Anyway, love to all,
Jina
Dear Jina,I am so sorry you are going thru this Little Sister. What meds are Sarah on? Any new ones that could change her personality ? You see those warnings all the time on med ads that say they can change people. Like Lesley I was wondering if jealousy could be the problem. It has been so long since I have had to deal with kids that I am of little help to you, BUT one thing I do know is that YOU are one of the finest Mom's I know!!!! Your girls should thank their lucky stars they got you for a Mom and not someone who would throw their hands up in the air and walk away. All you have to do to know this happens more of than we like to think is to watch the news, it happens all the time.
I am so ready for spring!!!! This has seemed like the longest winter of my life. I don't know if it is the dark cloud hanging over our country , all the hate spewing everywhere or just the weather ,but I am tired of it! Thank goodness CNN has come up with a great series , The History of Comedy , Wolf and I have been cracking up every week.
Everyone say a prayer for my Bro. Dave he is going in for his bladder removal Thursday, they will put his colispy bag in at the same time. Does anyone know anything about those bags? I have never known anyone who has one.
I hope everyone has a great week,and things cheer up! Love Lola
Jina wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Jina wrote: "My dearest friends....I NEED advice. I wasn't going to ask y'all and have tried all I know to do. I have a bad feeling so I can't keep it to myself any more. The stakes..."
Dear Jina, I hope you find that Sarah was telling you the truth. You are an amazing Mum & work so hard to look after your girls. Don't be hard on yourself.
About the quilts, it is lovely of you but please do not put yourself under more pressure. Mark loves dogs, he has Winney a female Rhodesian Ridgeback & we have Beth, a Chocolate Labrador. Judy loves Sunflowers & I love anything to do with books. xx
Dear Lola, I will be thinking about you & your brother Dave on Thursday & hope all goes well. Try not to worry too much xx
Dear Group,Thank you all for your support. Lola, I hadnt even thought of medication issues. Her psychologist did change her medication a lot in the last few months. A bout a year ago Sarah had taken Lexapro. They started her on 10mg then went to 20mg then 40mg but it was making her very angry and quick to lose her temper so they switched her to 20mg of Celexa (which I took with xanax right after Heathers heart attack. I couldn't sleep, eat and couldnt stop crying about 4 days into her coma. They said I had situational depression and PTSD). Then they gave her 40mg of Celexa but Sarah said she was having trouble focusing and when she would cry she couldn't understand why she was crying. So they stepped her off that. She had no meds for depression for a month then last October she was having big mood swings and couldn't control her temper so they put her on 20mg of prozac. Then first week of January they bumped her up to 2 capsules of 20mg of prozac. She also takes 25 mg of Atenolol for her heart, zyrtec for her allergies, 3 tablets of 0.1 mg of fludrocortisone for her POTS which is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. It is a symptom of her Fabrys disease and she has ibuprofen 800mg for chronic pain from Ehlers Danlos. She also has tramodol as needed as well as flexeril and then trazodone 100 mg for sleep. Im telling you this because maybe one of you knows of these and maybe some bad side effects that would cause a personality change. I want to take the girls to the mayo clinic in Minnesota to see if the specialists there can help. The girls have tons of doctors but no "team" of doctors working together. Im thinking that if they went to mayo, they would be treated like my mother was. A whole team from cardiologists, neurologists, urologists, bone specialists, orthopedists etc... worked together and tested mom together and came up with whatever was best for mom. They (mayo doctors) took my Mom off of prednisonne and off of flomax. She feels much better now and the swelling in her face ,hands and feet have gone away.) I dont like my girls on so much medicine but I do what the doctors here tell me. I so want my kids happy and healthy. Maybe it could be a little jealousy on her part. She was the baby of the family and now Heather is "the baby" / needs the most care and attemtion.
Praying for your brother Dave. My uncle had one of those bags after his bladder was removed (cancer). His was belted around his tummy. You couldnt even tell he had one. He kept a hand towel nearby, sometimes around his neck. He said "in case of leaks". But my uncle was busy, it never slowed him down. He did wear oversized tshirts to help be more comfortable.
Can y'all go to the website "fabrics.com" and find fabrics that have sunflowers, fabrics that have labradors or puppys, a fabric with books or any other fabric thats your favorite. Post your favorites here, make sure you include the item number (for instance :sunflower pattern 123456). I am in the mood to sew and so I would love input on Marks, Judys and Lesleys blankets. Also I need a consensus on backing meterial... should we go with soft flannel or knit? Or I could use part of a brand new 350 thread count sheet which will have a "cool" temperature effect other than the "warm" flannel effect. I want everyone's input so these prayer quilts are from all of us.
For some reason I am having trouble seeing again today. There is "lights" and dark areas in my vision so typing this is taking a long time. So I am going to go now and see if I can get eye drops to help.
Love you,
Jina
Hi Jina, please go & have your eyes cheked ASAP if you are having 'lights' & dark bits in your eyes. I have black 'floaters' in m eyes & I was told if I had any light flashes in my eyes to go back to them of go to emergency straight away.Love xx
Lesley wrote: "Hi Jina, please go & have your eyes cheked ASAP if you are having 'lights' & dark bits in your eyes. I have black 'floaters' in m eyes & I was told if I had any light flashes in my eyes to go back ..."Lesley, I have floaters in my eyes and had flashes which were the detachment of both retinas so it is important to take care of your eyes.
Jina, Hope you feel better. I will look at the web site and get back to you later on. Praying for you and the girls.
Lesley wrote: "Hi Jina, please go & have your eyes cheked ASAP if you are having 'lights' & dark bits in your eyes. I have black 'floaters' in m eyes & I was told if I had any light flashes in my eyes to go back ..."Hi Melinda, that's what they told me but I couldn't remember which part of the eye was affected when I messaged Jina. I do have my eyes checked regularly. Hope you are ok x
Lesley wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Hi Jina, please go & have your eyes cheked ASAP if you are having 'lights' & dark bits in your eyes. I have black 'floaters' in m eyes & I was told if I had any light flashes in my e..."It happened in 1988 so they just check to make sure it is still ok.
Jina ,For the dogs, I like Pet Selfies Dogs Blue , Polar Fleece Dogs & Treats Multi and It's A Dog's Life 24" Panel Multi .
the flowers-
Marblehead Butterflies Are Free Sunflower Ecru and the
Oilcloth Sunflower Yellow/White
I WILL LOOK FOR THE REST IN A LITTLE BIT.
Jina,For books I like Disney Posters The Greatest Love Story Ever Told Multi , Disney Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast Waltz and Dr. Seuss ABC Blocks Adventure .
I do not know about backing material that was my Aunt's department who just passed away. I do know that most cancer patients get cold if that helps. If they have radiation they get warm than cold. Hope one of the others can help with that.
Hello everyone -- this is my first full day "back" from the flu, and everything has resolved except some fatigue and a constant headache. I've thrown the entire medicine cabinet at it...plus some additional caffeine. My reviews are late this week because I can't read for long, but I finally got to post a couple of quick ones earlier today. I'm currently reading a fascinating Historical Romance by Meredith Duran (The Lady's Code of Misconduct) - I'm about 50% through it, and it's a real page-turner. I'm not usually a fan of historical romance novels, to be honest, but it's been a great change of pace for me. It also reinforces how skilled an author like Emily must be to write both historical AND contemporary romance because the language and the audience can be quite different. I wouldn't know where to begin.
Just wanted to say hello to all and now I'll try to respond to individual postings before I take another break. Be well, y'all!
P
Just wanted to say hello to all and now I'll try to respond to individual postings before I take another break. Be well, y'all!
P
Jina wrote: "Dear Group,
Thank you all for your support. Lola, I hadnt even thought of medication issues. Her psychologist did change her medication a lot in the last few months. A bout a year ago Sarah had tak..."
Jina wrote: "My dearest friends....
I NEED advice. I wasn't going to ask y'all and have tried all I know to do. I have a bad feeling so I can't keep it to myself any more. The stakes are too high...
Its my daug..."
Dear Jina...
I don't know where to begin. You've certainly got your hands and heart full at the moment, and I completely understand why you might need a project to ease your mind. I'll offer what I can in terms of advice, but frankly, the other group members are SO much better at crafts than I am, I don't even know where to look for fabric samples. (How embarrassing...)
As for Sarah Faith - she is certainly acting out, and it's a worrisome change in behavior. Although it may be a bit of sibling jealousy or a bid for attention, given her medical conditions and behavioral health history, I'm inclined to think it's being exaggerated by either prescription (or non-prescription) drugs. As the parent of a teenager in the not-terribly-distant past, it's always advisable to consider alcohol and other substance abuse as a source of the difficulty. I certainly hope that's not the case, but peer pressure and the desire to fit in, to rebel, or to grow up too fast can trigger that behavior. IF Sarah is taking something other than what's she's been prescribed, the interaction with her prescription meds could be a serious issue.
Also, Prozac alarms me a bit, especially in teenagers, where it's been strongly associated with suicidal thoughts and actions. My daughter was on it for a very short time during a crisis in her teens (she was 15); she was allergic to it, so she had to come off of it right away, but it wasn't long afterwards that it came with an FDA warning about children and adolescents. I'd see what other options she has.
Also, all of her medications must be taken EXACTLY as prescribed, without interruption. Sudden withdrawal of sleeping aids or antidepressants can cause serious problems, physically and emotionally. If she is on any kind of steroid preparation, this can also make aggression worse.
Once you sort through this, it might be advisable if you can find a child and adolescent psychiatrist to review and adjust all of her behavioral health medications. Family practice and general psychiatrists are just not as well informed. That being said, having a counselor (a social worker, perhaps) and a bit of family therapy might be helpful.
Other than that, and if all of those other considerations have been ruled out, making some one-on-one time, out of the house, with just the two of you might strengthen the bonds between you. That always helped with "my" Sarah.
God Bless You - sorry for the long message...
P
Thank you all for your support. Lola, I hadnt even thought of medication issues. Her psychologist did change her medication a lot in the last few months. A bout a year ago Sarah had tak..."
Jina wrote: "My dearest friends....
I NEED advice. I wasn't going to ask y'all and have tried all I know to do. I have a bad feeling so I can't keep it to myself any more. The stakes are too high...
Its my daug..."
Dear Jina...
I don't know where to begin. You've certainly got your hands and heart full at the moment, and I completely understand why you might need a project to ease your mind. I'll offer what I can in terms of advice, but frankly, the other group members are SO much better at crafts than I am, I don't even know where to look for fabric samples. (How embarrassing...)
As for Sarah Faith - she is certainly acting out, and it's a worrisome change in behavior. Although it may be a bit of sibling jealousy or a bid for attention, given her medical conditions and behavioral health history, I'm inclined to think it's being exaggerated by either prescription (or non-prescription) drugs. As the parent of a teenager in the not-terribly-distant past, it's always advisable to consider alcohol and other substance abuse as a source of the difficulty. I certainly hope that's not the case, but peer pressure and the desire to fit in, to rebel, or to grow up too fast can trigger that behavior. IF Sarah is taking something other than what's she's been prescribed, the interaction with her prescription meds could be a serious issue.
Also, Prozac alarms me a bit, especially in teenagers, where it's been strongly associated with suicidal thoughts and actions. My daughter was on it for a very short time during a crisis in her teens (she was 15); she was allergic to it, so she had to come off of it right away, but it wasn't long afterwards that it came with an FDA warning about children and adolescents. I'd see what other options she has.
Also, all of her medications must be taken EXACTLY as prescribed, without interruption. Sudden withdrawal of sleeping aids or antidepressants can cause serious problems, physically and emotionally. If she is on any kind of steroid preparation, this can also make aggression worse.
Once you sort through this, it might be advisable if you can find a child and adolescent psychiatrist to review and adjust all of her behavioral health medications. Family practice and general psychiatrists are just not as well informed. That being said, having a counselor (a social worker, perhaps) and a bit of family therapy might be helpful.
Other than that, and if all of those other considerations have been ruled out, making some one-on-one time, out of the house, with just the two of you might strengthen the bonds between you. That always helped with "my" Sarah.
God Bless You - sorry for the long message...
P
Lola wrote: "Dear Jina,
I am so sorry you are going thru this Little Sister. What meds are Sarah on? Any new ones that could change her personality ? You see those warnings all the time on med ads that say the..."
Hi, Lola - I've been thinking about your brother today and hoping that everything went well. My dad didn't have that kind of ostomy, but I've cared for all kinds of patients who need bags after different types of bladder, kidney or intestinal surgery, and all adjusted extraordinarily well. Self-consciousness is natural in the beginning, but the supplies have improved so much since the "early days" (I've been a nurse since God was a baby) - he should find the appliance comfortable and secure before too long.
Hope all is well.
P
I am so sorry you are going thru this Little Sister. What meds are Sarah on? Any new ones that could change her personality ? You see those warnings all the time on med ads that say the..."
Hi, Lola - I've been thinking about your brother today and hoping that everything went well. My dad didn't have that kind of ostomy, but I've cared for all kinds of patients who need bags after different types of bladder, kidney or intestinal surgery, and all adjusted extraordinarily well. Self-consciousness is natural in the beginning, but the supplies have improved so much since the "early days" (I've been a nurse since God was a baby) - he should find the appliance comfortable and secure before too long.
Hope all is well.
P
Jina and group -- regarding the blankets -- I agree with those who've noted that cancer patients tend to chill easily, so weighted, warm linings would be ideal. I, too, sleep under a weighted blanket and it really helps with anxiety, when that's an issue. It surprised me that something so simple could improve my sleep so much.
I leave fabric selections to you all...
I leave fabric selections to you all...
Dear Group,Today I was looking through different fabrics and had an idea. I found some wonderful daisy, lilacs and sunflower fabrics as well as very cute snoopy and woodstock, minions, Anne of green gables, fairies, hummingbirds, butterflies, puppys and kittens coffe and tea cups," Maxine"isms and other *brighten your day or make you smile* designs. What would yall think of a hodge podge of all things bright and cheerful put together for the front of Judys quilt with a flannel backing? I found a minions, snoopy, a smiley face and a gingham flannel that would be warm and cozy. I also found several dog nature and wildlife panels that would work for Mark with either one of the flannel backings I mentioned above. I also found the cutest *bookshelves with books and cats on the shelves for a quilt for lesley.
Love to all,
Jina
Jina,That sounds wonderful. How are your eyes?
Jina wrote: "Dear Group,Today I was looking through different fabrics and had an idea. I found some wonderful daisy, lilacs and sunflower fabrics as well as very cute snoopy and woodstock, minions, Anne of gre..."
Jina,
I saw the one the bookshelves and cats. I really liked it as well.
For dogs I like Wild things scenic slumber party and Sand scribbles Dog allover sand (there is also a pathchwork 24 panel of this one) There is a brown and white houndstooth flannel that would work well for the lining.
For the sunflowers I like timeless treasures. I had a fabric similar to this when we lived in Spokane that I used to make livingroom curtains. I lined them in a royal blue. They were beautiful.
I hope you can find something that you enjoy working with. Flannel is a bit difficult to quilt by hand, but if you are tying it, it won't be too bad. For weight you might using a sheet blanket instead of batting. My mom used to use them for winter quilts and she liked them.
Sewing usually relaxes me but I just can't focus on it right now, I started an outfit for my son's girlfriend but I have not finished it because I can't focus long enough.
I go to the dr. on the 20th and hopefully they can adjust medication so I can get back to normal. Whatever that is lol.
I am praying for your family. I wish I had answers for you, but I really don't. I never had that type of issue with any of my boys.
Do the best you can and trust God to do the rest.
Love
Linda
Lola,I have been praying for you brother today. And for you as well. I pray you are well and your brother is on the mend.
We are here for you when you need us. You have my email and Facebook contact if you need to talk.
Love and prayers
Linda
Dear group,I also found a beautiful panel on anniescatalog.com. It's called "Artisan Spirit Dreamscapes Digital Panel" Its 42"x27 1/2". Its got a very pretty tree and stream. I would love to go sit by that tree and have a picnic while having a fishing line in the stream.
I hope all is well with everyone. Sarah and Sam are much better but Heather has the flu. Poor thing has diarrhea and is throwing up. Her allergies are also bothering her since all the pine pollen and flowering trees are budding.
Be kind to yourselves everybody.
Love to all,
Jina
Melinda wrote: "Jina,That sounds wonderful. How are your eyes?"
Dear Melinda,
Thanks for asking. The lights come and go as well as the black tunnel vision I have been having. I have noticed a pattern of sorts. It gets much worse with headaches and nausea but if I nap for awhile or take zofran the lights arent as strong and big. Thanks again for asking. I am keeping a journal about my sight and also taking my blood pressure when its at its worst. Sometimes my BP is elevated when I have trouble seeing. I am glad it doesnt last long.
Hugs to you,
Jina
Jina wrote: "Melinda wrote: "Jina,That sounds wonderful. How are your eyes?"
Dear Melinda,
Thanks for asking. The lights come and go as well as the black tunnel vision I have been having. I have noticed a pat..."
Dear Jina, your really need to look after yourself & do what is best for you & the girls. I know you need a project but please do not push yorself on our behalf. As I don't know anything about quilting I cann't make any suggestions other than the choices sound good. Love to you & the girls xxx
Thank You All for your prayers , little did I know I needed double , My Sister Verna had to go in for emergency surgery yesterday too , she has kidney stones and one was blocking her duct ,her Kidney had swollen to 3 times the normal size and they were afraid it might burst. They did the ultra sound to break it up then drained her kidney, she is doing better . All this after she had 3 silent heart attacks last week, I told her she need to stop what ever she is doing to piss off the Gods. Dave's surgery went great !!!! He is in no pain ,no infections and is already on solid food. Thanks again for all your good wishes, I Love You All, Lola
Lola wrote: "Thank You All for your prayers , little did I know I needed double , My Sister Verna had to go in for emergency surgery yesterday too , she has kidney stones and one was blocking her duct ,her Kidn..."Lola,
Sorry to hear about your sister but glad that she was taken care of. Glad that Dave is doing well. I will keep them on my prayer list as well as you.
I think we all need a break where things are quiet.
Melinda
Jina,The material all sounds good. Take care of your self.
Hi, everyone -- Lola, good news about your brother, and I'm so glad your sister got the help she needed before things got any more out of hand. Jina, you need to report those symptoms to a doctor, pronto. Yes, blood pressure may be involved, even more than you think, but there are also other possibilities that need to be investigated -- yesterday! Please take time to get to a qualified ophthalmologist as soon as you can get an appointment.
Then, and ONLY then, will I send you a copy of my fledgling manuscript...
Paula
Then, and ONLY then, will I send you a copy of my fledgling manuscript...
Paula
Paula wrote: "Hi, everyone -- Lola, good news about your brother, and I'm so glad your sister got the help she needed before things got any more out of hand. Jina, you need to report those symptoms to a doctor, ..."Dear Paula,
Coersion isnt fair!!! Lol I have to talk to Heathers eye doctor about Heathers new glassed so I will ask her about it and go from there. She's a really great doctor and I am sure she wojld do all she could. Maybe even let me have a payment plan. I will call her office Monday. I understand how important sight is its just there ismt enough time in the day and it never happens when someone is available to take me. I won't drive when my sight is acting wonky. I promise I will figure it out.
Love you,
Jina
I'm sure you've never used coercion as a mother...right? LOL. I use it with my husband ALL the time; got to keep those skills sharp!
Paula wrote: "Jina wrote: "Dear Group,Thank you all for your support. Lola, I hadnt even thought of medication issues. Her psychologist did change her medication a lot in the last few months. A bout a year ago ..."
Dear Paula,
I just saw your post. I dont know how I missed it before. As far as I know Sarah isnt drinking or doing drugs. Thank the Lord. She hates taking the medicines she has now so I dont think she would turn to that. She had a procedure done a whole back where she hsd to have general anesthesia. After the surgery the anesthesiologist came out and said that I should be real proud of my daughter. That they could tell she doesnt take narcotics or othrr drugs becsuse of her being so easy to sedate etc... I'm with you about antidepressants for adolescents. It really scares me that they want her to take them. But I am afraid if I try to get them to wean her off of them altogether, that they will think I am neglecting or not taking proper care of her. She is doing netter these last few days, no sassing or talking back she is doing some chores finally but she snd Sam are still butting heads here snd thrre. She goes next Wednesday to talk to her psychologist. I will continue to try my best with her and pray its enough. Thank you for the advice.
Love you,
Jina
Hi Jina - I'm so glad to hear that. And I don't think she necessarily needs to be weaned off all antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, just that she may be more sensitive to the adverse effects of one drug over another, so keeping track of changes in her temperament whenever they change a drug or a dosage is so important. I'm glad she's doing better. Some teenage years are better than others, too...I think 15 was my Sarah's worst. That was the year I took her out of public school, too, and it made all the difference in the world in her life. Smartest decision I ever made where she's concerned. Every child is so unique and it's so difficult for them to tell us what's really "hurting" - it feels helpless sometimes. I'm glad she has a psychologist to talk to, and a mother who loves her enough to set limits on her behavior. Remember that. xo
Lola wrote: "Thank You All for your prayers , little did I know I needed double , My Sister Verna had to go in for emergency surgery yesterday too , she has kidney stones and one was blocking her duct ,her Kidn..."Hi Lola, good news about your brother & lucky about your sister
. Hope they both continue to do well xx
Thank You Lesley! I send you back the good wishes across the pond double fold for Mark and Judy!! Now if spring will just come on out I will be feeling a lot better . I am so sick of snow, clouds and cold!!!! I want to get outside in the Sun and play in the dirt !!! lol Love Lola
Paula wrote: "I'm sure you've never used coercion as a mother...right? LOL. I use it with my husband ALL the time; got to keep those skills sharp!"Dear Paula,
Of course I have used ALL things in my arsenal... coersion, bribery, threats (usually bluffs that I hope works at the time), guilt (learned that from my Mom, she invented the guilt trip), sugar coating the truth and so on. Only one I NEVER use is emotional blackmail (Mom used that sometimes too.) Thats too painful and I still have some scars from that one so I vowed long ago never to repeat that to my children.
However in this coersion case I know you love me and want me to checked out so I say "yes Mom, I will call Dr Sarah Monday and let you know what I find out. Thanks Mom!"
Hugs,
Jina
Hi Ladies, Mark & Judy update.We returned yesterday from 4 days visiting Mark. It was lovely to see & spend time with him & his wife Tina. He is currently not in a very good place either mentally or physically having lost a lot of weight due to his Sepcis infection, which they now seem to have undercontro. Unfortunately the scans show a growth in his tumours & he is currently too weak to have further chemo as he has been having. He has a meeting on Wednesday 15th with his medical team & hopfully, fingers crossed, they will suggest the best way forward. We are hopefully going back to see him again in two weeks time.
Judy - On the way home we made a detour to visit her as she is currently in hospital being treated for an infection which they are still trying to find out what has caused it, so her treatment plan is currently on hold as well.
All in all not the best news at the moment.
Hope everyone in the group is coping well, at the moment, with their own live situations. Love to all xx
Lesley,I am sorry that both Mark and Judy are having such a difficult time. It is hard to be on a good page mental when things do not go well or easy. Hopefully both will be better from the infections and gain strength quickly. It is also hard on those who love them so take care of yourself as well ,Lesley.
Keeping you all in my prayers.
Dear Lesley,I am so sad that Mark and Judy are having problems. I remember how much weight Wolf lost ,I think that was the scariest part of it for me. Thank goodness it didn't take long for him to gain a lot of it back. So know it gets better, hang on to that. You are all in my prayers and Heart ! Love Lola
Lesley wrote: "Hi Ladies, Mark & Judy update.
We returned yesterday from 4 days visiting Mark. It was lovely to see & spend time with him & his wife Tina. He is currently not in a very good place either mentally ..."
Dearest Lesley -- Having experienced these ups and downs with both of my parents, I can only imagine how helpless you feel when you watch them struggle with setbacks.
This is where the whole concept of "quality of life" really hits home. The things we take for granted, specifically. I will never, ever forget something my father taught me during his struggle with metastatic cancer, and sadly he doesn't even know about it. One day in early spring, 1989, we were leaving the hospital after one of his radiation treatments. He couldn't walk all the way to the car, so mom went to bring it closer to the entrance. As we waited, a robin landed nearby. Dad looked at it for a moment and said, "I never noticed birds before." As I write this, so many years later, it still brings tears to my eyes, because in that moment, I knew that he was aware that the doctors had nothing left to offer him, and had regrets about the things he once took for granted. So whatever you do, wherever you are, stop to notice nature. I have a passion for birds because they represent life and freedom to me. And they remind me of my dad's words. They changed my life.
Whatever you can do to make memories with your loved ones, don't wait. Find the simple joys and celebrate them. God be with you.
Paula
We returned yesterday from 4 days visiting Mark. It was lovely to see & spend time with him & his wife Tina. He is currently not in a very good place either mentally ..."
Dearest Lesley -- Having experienced these ups and downs with both of my parents, I can only imagine how helpless you feel when you watch them struggle with setbacks.
This is where the whole concept of "quality of life" really hits home. The things we take for granted, specifically. I will never, ever forget something my father taught me during his struggle with metastatic cancer, and sadly he doesn't even know about it. One day in early spring, 1989, we were leaving the hospital after one of his radiation treatments. He couldn't walk all the way to the car, so mom went to bring it closer to the entrance. As we waited, a robin landed nearby. Dad looked at it for a moment and said, "I never noticed birds before." As I write this, so many years later, it still brings tears to my eyes, because in that moment, I knew that he was aware that the doctors had nothing left to offer him, and had regrets about the things he once took for granted. So whatever you do, wherever you are, stop to notice nature. I have a passion for birds because they represent life and freedom to me. And they remind me of my dad's words. They changed my life.
Whatever you can do to make memories with your loved ones, don't wait. Find the simple joys and celebrate them. God be with you.
Paula
Hi Ladies, thank you for your lovely coments. Mark rang tonight & said that according to his Drs scales he has managed to gain half a stone since he left hospital, so hopefully he will continue to gain some more. Not sure where it is on him though. Hopefully we will make some more happy memories with Mark when we visit again in a couple of weeks as he is arranging a Charity Dinner Dance to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action. Several members of our family, Aunts, Uncles & cousins are travelling from Lincolnshire & Cambridgeshire to attend.
Paula, we have a couple of Robins who visit our back garden regularly & we always say that it is one of our parents come to visit as sadly all four of them have passed now.
Love to you all xxx
Hi everyone - it's been a quiet week in here; I hope you are all well and gearing up for spring. It's really beautiful here in CA this week, with everything in bloom. My yard is full of tulips, budding trees and a few wildflowers. It's supposed to rain early next week, so I'm soaking up the sun while I can.
Happy St. Patrick's Day to those who celebrate it. My pedigree includes a bit o' the Irish, but I'm not a big fan of St. Patrick himself. Nevertheless, I'm going to make a bit of meatless Irish Stew tonight and might indulge in a wee bit o' Guinness (I know, meatless Irish Stew is a travesty to the true Irish, I suspect).
I've been super-busy this week with a complicated work assignment, one of the most complex things I've ever tried to sort out. Also, I've been taking a copyediting certification course to sharpen up my writing and editing skills, and it's a BEAR. I'm learning a lot, especially about humility! And accepting criticism.
Now for an update: I've changed my email address from Gmail to the webmail program associated with my website. If you need want to reach me via email, the best address is paula@paularadell.com.
Happy St. Patrick's Day to those who celebrate it. My pedigree includes a bit o' the Irish, but I'm not a big fan of St. Patrick himself. Nevertheless, I'm going to make a bit of meatless Irish Stew tonight and might indulge in a wee bit o' Guinness (I know, meatless Irish Stew is a travesty to the true Irish, I suspect).
I've been super-busy this week with a complicated work assignment, one of the most complex things I've ever tried to sort out. Also, I've been taking a copyediting certification course to sharpen up my writing and editing skills, and it's a BEAR. I'm learning a lot, especially about humility! And accepting criticism.
Now for an update: I've changed my email address from Gmail to the webmail program associated with my website. If you need want to reach me via email, the best address is paula@paularadell.com.
Hi group!I am sorry I haven't been on lately. We are working on the house and I have had so many appointments with the girls I am afraid one of these days I am going to meet myself coming or going. Heather failed her swallow study, she just can't swallow barium. But I had promised her anything she wanted if she tried real hard. So after the test she said she wanted a chicken nugget happy meal so I got her one and she ate 2 nuggets and 3 french fries. Then her mouth muscles were too tired to do anymore. The doctor who did the study told me that I am not allowed to feed her because of her risk for aspiration but he doesnt know her. He saw her for literally 5 minutes for the study and based his recommendation on a barium study. She hates barium and she has a sensitive gag reflex, she has trouble with certain textures and smells. So I feel that as long as we watch her real close and make sure she cant choke, we can keep trying so she can get those muscles working again. Heather got her report card today. She got biology 98, english 96, math 3 99 and history was 98. So proud of her. She got hurt over the weekend. I have no idea how it happened. I was walking her back from the bathroom, we always hold her hand so if she loses balance we can feel it and catch her or whatever we need to do. Anyway I was holding her hand and I felt and heard a loud pop. She screamed and was crying instantly. I looked at her hand and it was already turning black and blue and to touch her ring finger made her scream out. We iced it and put instant hot packs alternating 20 minutes off and 20 ice on and 20 off and 20 heat. And we put her wrap on so she couldnt bump it. She also looks like she may have broke her pinkie at the knuckle by her fingernail. (I have no idea how it happened and neither does she. She says it barely hurts but she's such a tough cookie and has lived with pain all her life so I dont think she knows what it feels like to be pain free) We go for xrays later today.
I have been having trouble sleeping lately. I cant shut my mind off and worry all the time. My sister tells me to "let go and let God" but thats so hard to do. Its real windy, rainy and cold here lately which makes my neck and shoulder hurt. So I am SO ready for warmer temperatures. Head lice is going around Sarahs school so I pray we dodge that bullet. Thats a total pain to get rid of if it happens. Sarah takes her ACT test today. I hope she does well since she is so worried about it and wants to get everything perfect.
We have a pair of fox squirrels that entertain us everyday with their antics. We also have 2 Canadian geese that visit the field behind our house every day. The male harrasses Little Bit when she goes out to pee. I have such a scaredy dog. Lol My gladiolas, tulips and daffodils are coming up. The girls planted some seeds in containers here in the house and they are starting to sprout. I am getting everything ready to start the quilts for Mark, Judy and Lesley. I am just waiting on the material I ordered to get here. I am also studying hard to get ready for the CNA exam. I will take the test within the next couple weeks so keep your fingers crossed.
Paula, I know you will do real well with your class. I bet its fun and you learn new things or relearn what you have forgotten from your previous classes. Keep us posted. It sounds so interesting. BTW PLEASE be careful if you have a gmail account. There is a hack going around, (saw it on the world news over the weekend) if you dont recognize who sent the email... delete it, dont open ANYTHING if its not from a source you usually receive. The hack is once you open it, it fries your computer and its nothing any geek squad or computer guru can fix. Even Sarahs school had the kids set up a different email account for the teachers to send assignments through.
Well I better go and try to get some sleep since I have driving to do later today. Love to all,
Jina and the girls
Jina, you are oh so busy as well as all your "life trials" that I feel real lazy at the moment as I really cann't seem to motivate myself to do anything more than I have to, but we do seem to be travelling up and down the country quiet a bit at the moment. Hope your exam goes well.Paula, hope your course is going well.
We went to spend the weekend (17-19th) with our eldest son John & his family. It was this weekend that he took part in the Ultra White Collar Boxing to raise funds for Cancer Research. I wasn't looking forward to seeing him box but it turned out alright on the night as he won with a stoppage in the second round. He has raised over £1,200 in sponsorship so far. For those of you who are 'friends' with me on Facebook I have posted a 'public' video of his fight. Please view/share if you wish. I will also post a couple of photos in the photo file here if any one is interested.
Unfortunately when we arrved home on Sunday it was to find that our Chocolate Labrador Beth (14 yrs old) had suffered a mild stoke while we were away. We thought we were going to loose her but luckily she is improving daily with alot of TLC.
Mark seems to be improving slowly from his infection as is Judy. Mark is now managing to go to work for a couple of hours each day, which is amazing really as he has to travel approx 25 miles each way. Looking forward to seeing him again next weekend (25th) for his Charity Event and all being well we will call and see Judy on our way home.
What is everyone reading at the moment? I'm reading "It's You 1&2 by Katy Regnery writing as KP Kelly, it's a Paranormal, which is a different style to what she usually writes. I've also got the latest books by Bella Andre & Marie Force on by TBR pile.
Anyway must go and hang the washing out as the washer has just finished and the sun is shining for once. Take care & love to all xx
Hi, everyone - Jina, as usual, you take the cake. I don't know how you keep it all straight. Like Lesley, I've been feeling a bit lethargic recently, and it's been difficult to keep myself moving - it started with the time change, and I'm hoping now that spring is here, I'll find the spring in my step once again! We have a series of small storms coming through, but the weather is in the 50's and 60's so I doubt if we will see any more sustained cold weather.
My course has turned around a bit, and I've started to hone in on the skills I need to crank my writing and editing up to the next level. It's helping me tighten my narrative and truly "edit without mercy" - so, at the moment, the word count on my manuscript is going in the wrong direction! Nevertheless, I'm going to just stop editing my work in progress and get the story down, so the REAL writing - that is, the re-writing -- can begin. I'm starting to feel excited about that part.
I recently read two novellas from a series I started last year, and I can tell that my editing eye is now wide awake. I found myself highlighting the comma errors (there were dozens upon dozens of them), and noting all the repetition -- particular phrases that were used so often they started to grate on my nerves. I started counting them. And I feel terrible about it. I'm supposed to review the books for the author, and I'm a little at a loss for words. She self-published, as so many of us are these days; but her copy editor didn't help her (or if she did, the author rejected her feedback). I plan to focus on the story itself, and the characters, and she's already gotten multiple 5-star reviews from readers who don't especially care about the nitty gritty that seems to leap off the page to me. I need to give it some thought, to be fair to the author and her fans, but also to make sure the review has integrity - some of those errors just shouldn't exist in a finished piece. This is when I think I might be tired of reviewing...I don't want to do anything to hurt the author or make her doubt herself. If I knew her well, I'd reach out, but I don't - and the last time I tried the gentle feedback approach, I got my head bitten off.
OOOPS! I'm late for an appointment -- back later!
P
My course has turned around a bit, and I've started to hone in on the skills I need to crank my writing and editing up to the next level. It's helping me tighten my narrative and truly "edit without mercy" - so, at the moment, the word count on my manuscript is going in the wrong direction! Nevertheless, I'm going to just stop editing my work in progress and get the story down, so the REAL writing - that is, the re-writing -- can begin. I'm starting to feel excited about that part.
I recently read two novellas from a series I started last year, and I can tell that my editing eye is now wide awake. I found myself highlighting the comma errors (there were dozens upon dozens of them), and noting all the repetition -- particular phrases that were used so often they started to grate on my nerves. I started counting them. And I feel terrible about it. I'm supposed to review the books for the author, and I'm a little at a loss for words. She self-published, as so many of us are these days; but her copy editor didn't help her (or if she did, the author rejected her feedback). I plan to focus on the story itself, and the characters, and she's already gotten multiple 5-star reviews from readers who don't especially care about the nitty gritty that seems to leap off the page to me. I need to give it some thought, to be fair to the author and her fans, but also to make sure the review has integrity - some of those errors just shouldn't exist in a finished piece. This is when I think I might be tired of reviewing...I don't want to do anything to hurt the author or make her doubt herself. If I knew her well, I'd reach out, but I don't - and the last time I tried the gentle feedback approach, I got my head bitten off.
OOOPS! I'm late for an appointment -- back later!
P
Hi Group,I have been hearing from nearly all my friends that they feel blah. It could be that your vitamin D and B12 is low. I take 2 to 3 gel caps of D3 5000 IU which helps SO much with getting rid of the lethargy. I also take a zinc lozenges which also have vitamin A and vitamin C in them. This was all recommended to me by Heathers nutritionist. I give the same to Heather since her immune system is so low. Since I started the same regimen that I do for her, I am doing better. I am not tired in the middle of the day and my hair skin and fingernails arent brittle and my skin isnt blotchy. The nutritionist said that everyone gets low on D during the winter since we dont spend much time outdoors. Low D makes people feel lethargic and lacking energy or drive. D also helps cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone which a lot of adults have too much of. I have also dropped 15 pounds since starting these vitamins with no change in diet or exercise. Maybe the vitamins will help some of you feel better.
Paula, I think that you could review the story for how you like the plot but maybe kindly suggest she take a copyediting class to help with her writing. You could stress how its helped you become more aware of writing skills etc... If she is really passionate about being an author I think she would want any tips and help to be the best writer she can be. If she bites your head off it shows not only her immaturity but also lack of being open to new ideas and help to grow as a writer.
I need to run but I will finish my post later.
Love to all,
Jina
I hope everyone is doing ok. We are getting peeks of spring, we had a nice day Friday and got out and trimmed our trees. Wolf removed the branch from the apple tree that were shading my garden too much, sure opened up that area of the garden. We also picked the place were I am going to put my first raised bed.
I gave a donation to Emily's team in the fund raiser. She sent me a sweet email. Jen & Bill just drove up gotta run. Love Lola