You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Watcha Doin'? 2024
I'm so sorry, Rus. That is a terrible start to the new year for sure. I hope your stepfather is able to recover soon. I hope you have some time to take care of you. Hugs.
Oh, Rus, that's awful. Condolences on the death of your half brother, blood is thicker than water as they say, so I'm sure his passing was a blow, even though he wasn't a part of your life he was part of your blood. I hope your step father will soon be on the mend. He has really been the mill. Sending positive enery your way ❤
I'm sorry for your grief and pain, Rusalka. That loss of possibilities is big and now you'll never know. Hugs!
Thanks everyone. Appreciate the thoughts and understanding. I feel a little silly being a bit down about it, but thanks for pointing out that the loss of a possible something is still a loss.
It's not silly at all, Rus. It's hard when the possibility has been lost.
I'm sorry for your loss, Rus. And I really hope your stepfather will get well soon! Starting the year like this, or having to go through both of these things in general, really sucks. You're allowed to feel however you feel about it, it's really not silly. My mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday. Nothing serious but I'm still worried of course. She has a very bad tonsillitis and couldn't eat or drink anything for the past few days so she is there now to get stronger antibiotics, painkillers and so the doctors can watch over her fluid intake. They say she's supposed to stay for 2-3 days, so I'm hopeful that she'll be better soon.
Wishing your Mum a speedy recovery Fiona.
Fiona, I hope your mom gets better soon, and the infection and pain fall back.
Thanks Fiona, appreciate it :)I'm sorry to hear about your Mum. The worst pain I have ever had was tonsillitis, and that includes cutting some of my toe off. So I think your Mum is in the best place she can be, even though it sucks. I hope it really helps and she feels better very soon.
Rusalka, sorry about all that is happening. I totally understand about your brother. I have the feeling I would feel the same way. I hope your stepfather recover soon and well.
Fiona, I wish that your mother has a speeding recovery.
I hope your mom feels better quickly and is able to return home, Fiona.
I'm sorry for you loss, Rusalka, the start of the New Year was awful for you. I hope that your stepfather will get better soon. Sending some luck and positive vibes to you!
@Fiona: hopefully your mom will get better soon with the care in the hospital. Tonsillitis can be very painful at an adult age. My partner had that too a couple of times and the doctor had to remove them at last.
I'm with the others Rusalka. A loss is still a loss. I'm sorry you've had to go through that. I really hope your step father can shed some of that fluid and feel better. Definitely not a great start to 2024. I feel like it has been a while since a year has been wholly good since the pandemic started. For many many people. I think we need some magic to happen!I have to submit a uni essay on Tuesday. I finished it way before christmas. Went to submit it last week and realised I'd misinterpreted the question so had a mad dash to rewrite it. Spent so much time on it. Then realised that i was basically right the first time once I'd spoken to my tutor. Ugh. Second essay was better though in parts so i ended up metging the two. Hopefully, it will be all good now.
I'm working in Bournemouth this weekend. First day it hasn't rained in what feels like forever.
I hope your mum feels better soon Fiona. I had loads of issues with tonsils in my 20s. 3nded up having them removed and then they got infected and I ended up back in hospital. Tonsils, wisdom teeth and ear ache have to be the worst pains ever in my opinion. There's just no escape!
I hope things go well for your mom, Fiona.
I'm ready for some magic :)That's a bit of an essay rollercoster, Sarah! But very glad you are feeling like it is in a better place after all that. To be fair, you probably have thought about things from many other directions now.
I could do with some magic too!I've been sorting out Mum room since the new year. Boy she had a lot of stuff. She was a crafter and very artistic so she kept a lot of scraps that to other people (me!!!) were just rubbish but she had an idea of what she could make with them. I'm having to go though every drawer and wardrobe carefully as there as some bits that are precious to me in the mix. It's bitter sweet and I won't be able to move on till it's finished. I'm taking a break today as the dust is lethal, it's freezing and foggy - not a good combination for my allergies!
Sarah wrote: "I'm with the others Rusalka. A loss is still a loss. I'm sorry you've had to go through that. I really hope your step father can shed some of that fluid and feel better. Definitely not a great star..."Hope the essay goes down well Sarah.
I can see how that is bittersweet, Margo. It is also great that you will have many of her creations to remember her. Take your time, and give yourself space for processing your feelings. Big hug.
Margo wrote: "I could do with some magic too!I've been sorting out Mum room since the new year. Boy she had a lot of stuff. She was a crafter and very artistic so she kept a lot of scraps that to other people ..."
I'm with you on that Margo! My brother and sister are in the process of cleaning out Dad's house. When I was home before Christmas, there were some boxes labelled "Knickknacks" There was a cowboy boots salt and peppershaker I had given my dad years ago that found it's way into my suitcase along with a few other things.
I guess I'm going to have to stop calling my Dad's place "home", Ooof! That's a punch in the stomach.
Margo wrote: "Hope the essay goes down well Sarah"Thanks. It's all handed in, so I'll find out in a couple of weeks.
Sarah wrote: "Margo wrote: "Hope the essay goes down well Sarah"Thanks. It's all handed in, so I'll find out in a couple of weeks."
fingers crossed
Thanks for all the well wishes, everyone!My mom just got back home. She is still not well but definitely better than before and was finally able to eat and drink more again. Still not normally but at least it's something. I think it'll take a few more days to be over completely tho.
Janice wrote: "Margo wrote: "I could do with some magic too!I've been sorting out Mum room since the new year. Boy she had a lot of stuff. She was a crafter and very artistic so she kept a lot of scraps that to..."
Thanks for your kind words Janice and Sandra.
Janice, your condiment shakers story is a perfect example of the kind of stuff I'm coming across. Big hugs.
Fiona wrote: "Thanks for all the well wishes, everyone!My mom just got back home. She is still not well but definitely better than before and was finally able to eat and drink more again. Still not normally bu..."
That's great news Fiona. Hopefully now she's home she'll recover quickly.
Lots of love to you. Margo and Janice, going through your Mum's and Dad's things. It took me so long to go through my Dad's things. If you can beat 48 hacksaw blades and 30 bottles of superglue as they were all on special and you never know when you will need them... I think I will need to put those hacksaw blades in my will to my niblings.My important take away for you is that you need to be prepared that you will get things wrong. You will get tired or complacent, and sometimes just emotionally overwhelmed, and put things in the wrong box, and that is okay. I've had to come to terms with that, but I think that is so important. You will have so much, if you miss a couple of things, that is okay.
Not sure your Dad is engaged with the process, Janice, but I'm glad you and the siblings can check in with him if you need.
So good to hear, Fiona. Hoping she heals up quickly!
Fingers and toes crossed, Sarah.
Thanks guys!Hope all goes well with the essay, Sarah.
Happy birthday to your mom, Christine :)
Christine wrote: "IT’S MY MOM’S BIRTHDAY TODAY!"Happy mums birthday Christine!
Rusalka wrote: "Lots of love to you. Margo and Janice, going through your Mum's and Dad's things. It took me so long to go through my Dad's things. If you can beat 48 hacksaw blades and 30 bottles of superglue as ..."Rus, wise words from someone whose been there 😘
Dad was moved into a supportive living housing this morning. My brother said that he's not a happy camper. Change isn't easy for the elderly. In response to my sister asking for a smiley picture (to update family on Facebook), my brother replied that it wasn't a smiley day. I'm so grateful my brother is able to be there and help.Dad told me last month that he had sold his house, so I don't think he's concerned about who takes what. I don't know about saw blades, but there is a whack of nuts and bolts.
I'm sure he will be way more comfortable than in the hospital, Janice. It will take some adjustment, of course.
I think you're right, Sandra. They have a crib club and once he's feeling more himself, I'm sure he'll be ruling the roost.
I'm sure after a brief period of getting comfortable there, your dad will be happy and have fun there, Janice!As I said, my mom got back from the hospital yesterday and she does look better already. Since those were good news, we needed some bad news too of course. My dad called me and let me know he has a bladder tumor. It'll be operated in 10 days and then we'll find out if it's benign or not.
Oh Fiona, it never rains but it pours! Hopefully there will be good news for your dad. Sending positive thought.
Margo wrote: "Rus, wise words from someone whose been there 😘"I am also reminding myself to be kind to me, as I am really grumpy at a couple of things I got rid of without thinking 13 years on. But it's just stuff. And I wish just one person told me to be kind to me then.
So. Passing it on 😘
I'm so glad he's out of hospital Janice. But I understand the move would annoy him. It's just another unsettlement. He'll get there but I understand it's hard. I'm glad you have some good siblings to share the load with.OH, hold on to those nuts and bolts! Lexx bought me an oil extractor for my birthday (I don't really know but apparently we will be able to make our own sunflower, almond, pumpkin seed, avocado, etc oil) and was attaching it to a bench on the weekend. He came in to the house and declared my Dad was a genius as in the giant box of random bolts we have of his under the house, there was the exact size bolt Lexx needed. And not for the first time. Those are useful. 48 blades for a hacksaw are not.
Hah, is he related to me or Lexx? Just put a crib board or two and a few packs of cards scattered in the room. He'll get the itch. He'll find some niche and get himself entirely absorbed.
My Seventh Day Adventist Great Aunt was similar when her husband died and she moved into assisted living. I will never forget my Mum calling her to check in and hanging up quickly looking confused. We asked what was wrong and Mum said "Nothing. Auntie Millie is just late to line dancing apparently..."
Fiona wrote: "I'm sure after a brief period of getting comfortable there, your dad will be happy and have fun there, Janice!As I said, my mom got back from the hospital yesterday and she does look better alrea..."
Oh Fiona! What a ride this week has been for you emotionally. I am sending all the positive thoughts and feelings your Dad's way. Here's hoping this is all just a benign bit of something and all is well.
So, here I was wondering if notifications were broken again or whether GR was just quiet. I didn't realize that of course there would be a new thread for 2024!Never heard of Storygraph and not sure if I should protect myself by not looking into it, lol! I do love me soms stats! But I have a lot of stuff organized here on GR and I have no interest in spending hours doing it somewhere else, no matter how much GR bugs me sometimes.
So sorry to hear about all the hard stuff going on in your lives, Rusalka, Janice and Fiona (did I miss someone else?). Big hugs!
@Sarah: have you been trying the light therapy glasses?
Thanks Margo, Rus and Peggy :) I am glad that at least at the moment my dad is not in pain and he doesn't have to go to work until the surgery so he doesn't have to strain his body.
Anyone with some better news to cheer everyone up?
Not really news but I'm enjoying the day. It's a beautiful, sunny day with blue sky and no rain or fog. I started my day with a chair yoga class which has left me nice and relaxed. Tonight I have my IRL book club meeting so I'm looking forward to seeing friends and talking books.That's as good as it gets in January!
Sounds like a good day Margo!Sunny and blue skies here too, and temperatures below 0. But I don't mind after all the grey and rain.
Yesterday was the first day of work again after the holidays, and when I left work at my usual time it was still light outside. Well, at least not fully dark. Last day before the holidays it was dark at that time. These moments where you actually really notice the longer daylight always makes me happy.
Also, I succumbed to Storygraph already and imported my GR stuff. It now takes up to 72 hours! I don't mean to leave GR but couldn't resist the stats and trying it out.
Sounds awesome you two!Sun is out here in southern Germany as well. Temperatures below 0 as well though.
Peggy, let's see how you like the stats! Back then it said 72 hours for me as well but it took only about half an hour.
Fiona wrote: "I'm sure after a brief period of getting comfortable there, your dad will be happy and have fun there, Janice!As I said, my mom got back from the hospital yesterday and she does look better alrea..."
Goodness! As Margo says, it doesn't rain but it pours. I hope the surgery goes well for him.
Rusalka wrote: "My Seventh Day Adventist Great Aunt was similar when her husband died and she moved into assisted living. I will never forget my Mum calling her to check in and hanging up quickly looking confused. We asked what was wrong and Mum said "Nothing. Auntie Millie is just late to line dancing apparently...""That is too funny!
I'm afraid I'm no help to my brother and sister. At all. And that bothers me.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Room (other topics)In the Woods (other topics)
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (other topics)
Cloud Cuckoo Land (other topics)
The Underground Railroad (other topics)
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I hope your step father gets better soon. How unlucky the whole thing was. Sending you a huge hug. We are always here for you to vent, even if we need a translator aussie-human. :)