General Chit-Chat Part 2! Showing 1,001-1,050 of 2,680

[[deleted user]]

Sorry to hear that, Leslie. I hope they can sort things out quickly and help manage her pain

[Joan]

Leslie - I’m sorry to hear - I hope your Mom and you are feeling better soon.

[Marina]

I'm so sorry, Leslie. The doctors being optimistic is good, though. I hope they are right. It must be painful, and I hope they'll be able to mend it soon.

[Esther]

Leslie wrote: "Sorry that I have been slack about posting recently. Things have been going well (until today - more on that later) but once I got behind, it became too much of an effort to try to catch up. I have..."

Leslie, sorry to hear about your mother. I hope the glue works.

[Alannah]

Oh no Leslie! I'm so sorry to hear about your mum, fingers crossed the procedure works.

[Ruth]

I hope your Mom is feeling better soon Leslie.

[B the BookAddict]

Your mum has had it rough these last few months; hoping that changes.

[Leslie]

Brief update - my mom's fracture apparently is several years old and not related to her current condition. This is both good & bad news: good being that she has "just" thrown out her back (those of you who have experienced this know the value of that 'just'!), the bad being that she isn't eligible for the procedure which might have eliminated the pain right away. She is definitely improving and should be home tomorrow.

Thanks so much for your thoughts & prayers - it means a lot to me to be able to share here!

[Marina]

Leslie, good to know she's improving. I hope she'll be able to get home today (tomorrow?) as you mentioned. Big hug.

[Angela M]

Leslie, thanks for updating us on your mom. Glad to hear she’ll be leaving the hospital. I worry about you too. It’s stressful. You are a wonderful daughter ! ❤️

[Greg]

Leslie wrote: "Brief update - my mom's fracture apparently is several years old and not related to her current condition. This is both good & bad news: good being that she has "just" thrown out her back (those of..."

I am so happy to hear that she's improving and will be home Leslie, though she will be in my thoughts and hopes for pain relief soon!

[Greg]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Is anyone in another group Greg was also a member of? Is he still posting there?"

Hi everyone, sorry for my extended absence - a near total social media (and even reading) blackout!

But all is ok.

Just a combination of extreme busyness with work and multiple classes for professional development - optics, a calculus refresher, some networking certifications, etc. Also a lot of work on the house as well as some hellish work projects.

And to be honest some lingering periodic bouts of sadness/lethargy about my dad. I really miss him. Those feelings don't end in a few months or a year or even years.

Everything is changing as life always does, not only with my dad's passing. My nephew Dylan who I vividly remember telling numerous bedtime stories and playing in the yard making "ghost" videos is now a junior in high school. We have been so close over the years because of his parents' divorce and absences that I think I'm feeling a little of that bittersweet loss parents must feel.

I'm here in Arizona this weekend, and it's been heartening to see he's still excited to see me despite him having more and more of his own life, which of course is healthy and I am so grateful for. He is growing up to be a kind, healthy young man. It is a wonderful thing!! But how is it possible Dylan has a job already? The years seemed to go by so fast!

Anyway, all is well and I have missed you all!

[Angela M]

Greg, I am so glad to “see” you here ! We have missed you . Happy to know that you’ve been away mostly because of being busy with work and courses and the house. I definitely can relate to your feelings about missing your father . It’s been a year and a half since my mother died and I miss her every day . I’m
sending a virtual hug to you .

[Esther]

Greg wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "Is anyone in another group Greg was also a member of? Is he still posting there?"

Hi everyone, sorry for my extended absence - a near total social media (and even reading)..."

Hi Greg! Great to see you here.

I am getting used to have grown children. I love the freedom but also love it when they come home and give me a big hug.

[Marina]

Greg, so glad to see you back! I'm really glad to know you weren't active on GR and AAB mainly because of busyness. Don't worry about that, I think we all understand, since I guess we all have such periods in our lifetime. I'm sorry about your sadness because of your dad, I think it's quite normal although I have no real way to know since luckily I still have both my parents. I guess you just need to give yourself permission to have sadness bouts. There is nothing wrong in feeling that way.

[Petra]

Hi Greg, I'm glad you posted. We've missed you here.
Your nephew sounds like a wonderful young man. Part of that is your time with him. You should be proud.
My mom passed 13 years ago. Missing a parent is something that doesn't go away. The pain decreases, though, and the sadness. But it takes lots of time. Luckily, the memories don't go away and these keep our loved ones close. Sending a hug your way.

[Greg]

Thanks Petra, Marina, Esther, Angela! It's good to be back. :)

[Alice]

Greg, so glad to see you post here again right after our little exchange on Facebook! Enjoy your weekend and Dylan's company!

[Karin]

Greg--glad you're back. I have had a very busy year so far and haven't been here much, either. I am working my way back into being involved in more group reads.

I just had surgery the other day (outpatient) and am recuperating, but plan on reading To Kill a Mockingbird once it comes into the library.

[Joan]

Greg - nice to hear (?) read (?) from you! Seems you were balancing a lot of different stuff - that can be energizing and enervating.
Lucky for you and Dylan that you are able to enjoy that uncle/nephew bond - it’s like no other.

[B the BookAddict]

Fabulous to speak with you again, Greg. Sometimes life does get so busy that something has to be forfeited but we are all really happy to hear you are well.

[Greg]

Thanks Alice, Karin, Joan & Bette!

And I agree with you about the bond Joan - my life would be much less rich without it!

Hope you're recuperating well Karin!

[Angela M]

Karin, hope you’re feeling better !

Greg, have to tell you again how nice it is to see you :)

[Greg]

Angela M wrote: "Greg, have to tell you again how nice it is to see you :)"

:)

[Marina]

Karin wrote: "Greg--glad you're back. I have had a very busy year so far and haven't been here much, either. I am working my way back into being involved in more group reads.

I just had surgery the other day (o..."

I hope you'll be feeling better soon.

[dely]

Leslie, glad that your mother can already go home!

Greg, nice to see you again posting! If Dylan is still excited to see you, it means that you have always been a wonderful uncle. I see it with my son (20 years old) when he meets his grandparents. He loves them and is always happy and excited when he manages to meet them.
I'm "glad" you were away only because of busyness. I fully understand you. In these last months I'm so busy, that I haven't anymore a lot of time for GR or for reading. I peek in when I can, but can't follow all the discussions I used to follow.

Karin, I hope you will recover soon!

[Pink]

Hi Greg, I'm glad to see your update and hear that life is busy, but generally good. Dylan sounds like his growing up just wonderfully, you must be a proud and happy uncle.

[Leslie]

Greg, thanks for the update! As others have already said, we have missed you but understand about RL getting hectic.

I can understand what you said about still grieving for your dad - I keep catching myself thinking "I'll have to tell Dad about (whatever)" before I realize once again that he died.

Your nephew sounds like a fine young man & I know what you mean by the time speeding along! My oldest niece graduated from high school last month, is driving and heading off to college in the fall. It seems like only a few years ago that I was babysitting her while she was learning the alphabet! Now she is the babysitter :)

[Pam]

Greg- I’m glad to see your post, too, and know that you are ok! I was wondering what happened to you but figured you got busy w life. So sorry about your dad but I know that he will always be in you heart. 💕 I hope things settle down and you can get back to book discussions with us! I’m ready to read the sequel to The Sparrow. 😀

[Greg]

Thanks dely, Pink, Leslie & Pam!

And Pam, that sounds good - I definitely want to continue the series at some point too! :)

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "Sorry that I have been slack about posting recently. Things have been going well (until today - more on that later) but once I got behind, it became too much of an effort to try to catch up. I have..."

Oh so sorry ti hear that!!!
Hope things are going a bit better now

[Karin]

Thanks, all, I am on the mend. I started getting cranky with convalescence by the weekend so started binge-watching a show that isn't that great, but mildly entertaining. Today I started feeling like I actually have some energy, and starting tomorrow I can do vocal exercises and start to walk for exercise (I'll be less cranky that way!).

Thursday I have my follow up appointment, 9 days after due to July 4th being Wed (not sure why it isn't tomorrow, but c'est la vie!)

But I have restrictions for longer and one for life (no lifting over 15 pounds--what will I do when I have grandchildren someday???????)

[Karin]

Greg--love those photos!

[Greg]

Karin wrote: "Thanks, all, I am on the mend. I started getting cranky with convalescence by the weekend so started binge-watching a show that isn't that great, but mildly entertaining. Today I started feeling li..."

Good to hear Karin - hope everything continues improving. What a pain about the lifetime restrictions though!

Glad you liked the pictures! Maybe I'm buy my younger niece and nephew geodes at that roadside place for Christmas so they can have the fun of cracking them open. :)

[Karin]

Greg wrote: "Karin wrote: "Thanks, all, I am on the mend. I started getting cranky with convalescence by the weekend so started binge-watching a show that isn't that great, but mildly entertaining. Today I star..."

Yes, they will like the geodes.

I have the lifetime restrictions because this has happened to me twice in my life, once at 8 and once now--and the older one gets, the higher the risk is. They are a bit different, but the same ilk--hernias, and while he one I had as a child one is more common for men, the other is more common for women and the least common overall, even though they happened close together and he used the same incision site (no no new scar).

I just hope that it won't stop me continuing studying voice because I'd love to learn opera some day (for fun--people my age don't start their opera careers) as it turns out I have some sort of "dramatic" voice (something you don't usually have til late 30s or so, and I'm definitely passed that), as in you can be heard over an orchestra--not going to help me with choral singing which is what I love!!!)

[Angela M]

Karin, glad to hear you are on the mend!

[Joan]

Karin,
I’m glad to hear you are feeling better and able to get back to walking and singing.

If only GR let you share audio files as it does pictures we all could hear you sing!

[Diane S ☔]

Karin, so glad to hear you are on the mend.

[Esther]

Karin wrote: "Greg wrote: "Karin wrote: "Thanks, all, I am on the mend. I started getting cranky with convalescence by the weekend so started binge-watching a show that isn't that great, but mildly entertaining...."

Karin I hope your recovery goes smoothly. You will just have to be the cuddly granny in the rocking chair!!
I was an expert climber as a child because my mother had such a bad back she couldn't lift me and I had to learn to climb into my own cot and high chair!

In my teans I dreamt of being an opera singer but had to stop lessons for financial reasons.
I didn't sing seriously for ages and am too reticent for karaoke or 'singing while I work'. But I have somehow become the relief cantor/musical leader at our synagogue and realise I really need to improve my breathing techniques.

[Greg]

Esther wrote: "But I have somehow become the relief cantor/musical leader at our synagogue and realise I really need to improve my breathing techniques. ."

That's great Esther!

I heard a recording of a Jewish musical chant of the Torah once before, and I thought it was extrordinarily beautiful.

[Marina]

Karin, be careful about the lifetime restriction, do what the doctors recommended. I'm saying this because my mother, after her mastectomy, has a lifetime restriction of lifting no more than 1 kg with her left arm, but she doesn't care and keeps lifting her grandson (my nephew) who is now 5 years old and, despite being a very thin boy, is still MUCH heavier than 1 kg! This resulted in her arm being swollen most of the time and she having to undergo massage sessions, and I'm said it hurts. So don't be like her. The health issue is different, but the doctor's recommendation should still be adhered to.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, and good luck with your singing exercises :)

[Greg]

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Karin, be careful about the lifetime restriction, do what the doctors recommended. I'm saying this because my mother, after her mastectomy, has a lifetime restriction of lifting no more than 1 kg w..."

Oh wow Marina, hope your mom is ok!

My mom disobeys her doctor too - I understand why, but it's not a good thing!

[Marina]

Thanks, Greg - the operations (there were two of them) were more or less 8 years ago and after that she underwent two years of chemo, but she's alive and kicking :)

[Esther]

Greg wrote: "I heard a recording of a Jewish musical chant of the Torah once before, and I thought it was extrordinarily beautiful. .."

Torah cantillation is beautiful but difficult.
I am not very good at reading music to start with but cantillation marks are just little symbols above the letters signalling voice 'movements'.
Not only do some of the voice 'movements' change according to what comes afterwards, the symbols mean different movements depending on whether you are Ashkenazi, Sepharadi, Jerusalemite, Yemenite etc!!

[Joan]

Greg wrote: "Esther wrote: "But I have somehow become the relief cantor/musical leader at our synagogue and realise I really need to improve my breathing techniques. ."

That's great Esther!

I heard a recordi..."

I heard a recording once of a cantor singing The Psalms in Hebrew - it was wonderful but I have never been able to find one again.

[Greg]

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Thanks, Greg - the operations (there were two of them) were more or less 8 years ago and after that she underwent two years of chemo, but she's alive and kicking :)"

Good to hear she's still hanging in there! :)

[Marina]

Thanks, Greg :)

[Karin]

Joan wrote: "Karin,
I’m glad to hear you are feeling better and able to get back to walking and singing.

If only GR let you share audio files as it does pictures we all could hear you sing!"

I'm not that good yet--I'm taking voice lessons and hoping to get better (we'll see--talent is something one is born with, but training lets you develop it. I have musical talent but didn't pursue it on an instrument, but the question is whether or not I have any vocal talent.)

But, I'm mainly doing it for good abs and because I love to sing, so any improvement is fine with me.

[Joan]

Good luck to you!
I’m taking singing lessons because a kind church choir director convinced me that you are never too old to try. I only hope to master matching my voice to a note.

I’d always wanted to sing, I loved opera as a child, but when I was 10yrs old my school music teacher told me I couldn’t sing - so I stopped - I didn’t sing birthday parties or even in the shower. Someday I hope to sing in the church choir.

[Karin]

Joan wrote: "Good luck to you!
I’m taking singing lessons because a kind church choir director convinced me that you are never too old to try. I only hope to master matching my voice to a note.

I’d always want..."

Teachers who tell children they shouldn't sing are wrong, but that said some kids really need help learning to hit notes--it's not always a problem with the ear, sometimes it's technique.

I am an avid fan of parents singing to their children from birth, especially singing and moving with them (starting with rocking or walking, etc). It is very, very, very important as music helps the brain develop and helps with language, etc. Almost everyone who can hear can learn to carry a tune if they are sung to and moved with from a very young age. Passive listening to recordings does NOT work the same way.

Stepping off this soapbox now, but this is documented in writing and with early childhood development. One book is The Well Balanced Child: Movement and Early Learning by Sally Goddard Blythe. I first heard about her from my son's late vision therapist (who actually knew what he was doing and did help my son develop binocular vision). There are a couple of chapters that discuss music as I recall.