Hello, my friends! Notice that I did not call you my blogging friends, I just consider you all friends now. (I totally stole this from Scriptor Senex but I do agree with it, so I hope he will not mind me stating the same thing on my blog!) Thanks to all who left comments on my last post, the one that was written by my husband! He still has not finished answering all the comments! Richard takes such great care in everything he does, including his writing. Ha! You should read the letters that we wrote to each other for all those years....his are so well written and mine are...well, let's just say, that they won't win any prizes! (They are funny though...they must have kept him interested!)
I was thankful that Richard wrote a post for me since I have been having a bit of bother with my health recently! I had an illness in October and then, I had some serious side effects of some of the medications. Go and read the side effects of any medicine you have...I think I had all of those, no half measures for me! At times, the muscle pains that I had meant that I couldn't sleep and combine that with vision problems also meant that I couldn't use the computer. AND I lost my voice! This was much more upsetting to me than I thought it would be, since I really do like to sing. (Okay, I like to talk too, so sue me!) Still, let's say that my intense coughing had a musical sound to it, we will say that anyway!
Here's the thing...I actually had folks tell me that it might take longer to get over an illness since I AM NOT A SPRING CHICKEN ANYMORE. Well. I am so glad to know this...this makes just all the difference in the world...NOT! This reminds me of something that I want to share with you...
Ephesians 4:29New International Version (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
I know that I am no longer a spring chicken! I am the little red hen, getting things done!
(Please tell me that you know the story of The Little Red Hen! Maybe children are not told that story anymore!) To be honest, I really didn't realize how much I do in the course of a day, until it was such a struggle to get through each day. The worst thing for me, this came after our trip to England, where I felt so healthy and happy! Anybody remember the beginning of "It's A Wonderful Life", where the angel Clarence is being sent to help George Bailey? "Is he sick?, Clarence asks and he is told..."No, worse, DISCOURAGED". And if you don't know the movie, "It's A Wonderful Life", then do yourself a favor, and make sure you see it. I know it by heart and it is one my of favorites.
Getting better...that is me! I just wanted to let my friends know why my blogging has been a bit sporadic lately. Hopefully, it won't be long until you see my long off-the-subject, strange rambling comments again!
Look, here we are in London! Richard took this in a mirror in one of the public rooms at the hotel in London.
It's A Wonderful Life!
Hi Kay! I'm sorry to hear that you have been dealing with health issues. No fun! I, too, am coming up against the "no spring chicken" thing, and I find it very aggravating. It's especially discouraging when it gets in the way of things I want to do. But in many ways, I am healthier since I retired from teaching. And I am so glad that I don't have to press forward when I'm sick anymore. That was the worst!
ReplyDeleteI decided last week that I am no longer retired anymore; I am a writer! So now I'm at my writing desk by 7:30 a.m. every day. It's been a very helpful shift in thinking.
Love the Ephesians quote. Love the picture of you and Richard, too. I enjoyed his comment on his blog post! Take care! We're all just trying to get by the best we can. I look forward to whatever you are up to posting ~ We all have our busy or challenging times that cut into our blogging! *Hugs*
We all to the best we can and I forgive the folks with their spring chicken remarks, they meant well, I am sure but I don't think I need anything to discourage me, I have my aging body for that!
DeleteOf course, you are a writer, and a dang good one at that, I say you should start at 6:30AM! There, that will give you an extra hour and it will make all the difference! Ha!!
Hope you don't mind me kidding with you, I don't do that with everyone! I notice that most of the time, I am deadly serious and sound like some kind of ancient schoolmarm!
Kay, I'm so sorry to hear that you've been sick. I hope this post is a sign that you're on the mend. I too am no spring chicken. My doctor told me that I was in good shape..."for a woman of your age". Hmph! Do they really have to add that last part?!? I know how old I am! Humph!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful quote.
"A woman of your age"...Didn't you just want to kick him and say, "Well, how was THAT for a woman of my age?". HA! Man, I am mean when I type comments very early in the morning!
DeleteHopefully, I am on the mend, but find still am finding it hard to sleep, which is becoming a real drag.
Glad you like that verse from the Bible too, it made me think of it when I had SEVERAL people make the spring chicken comment to me!
Hello dear friend. :):) I'm just letting you know we are friends. I love it's a wonderful life...I cry when I watch it. Just ask my girls , "who is the little red hen," and they better say their mommy. I always said that to them. Kay, Honestly, the side effects of medicines can scare you to death....some times the disease is not as bad as the side effects. I am going to say a pray for you to get well quick. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet friend! I don't know a single woman who does not remind me of "The Little Red Hen"! We are all of us so darn busy, and I don't mean to say that men are not busy too, but doggone it, you know what I mean! I also love "It's A Wonderful Life" and certain lines from it, come back to me at times in my life when I least expect it.
DeleteThere are many who are much worse off than I am, I only wanted to let folks know why I have not been blogging, but I thank you for your prayers! Take care! xx
Kay, talk about old....I wanted to tell you this. I had an aunt that would tell me how bad I looked...while I was struggling with morning sickness when I had my daughters...wow we sure want to hear that. No finesse, I guess. LOL. xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that is JUST what you wanted to hear when you are about to throw up! HA! What do you think of Kate in England, they put her in the hospital to help with her morning sickness! You just get told you look bad!
DeleteLOL! xxx
You are right that we need to watch our words, and i hope mine encourage you.
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon!
Yes! ENcourage...not DIS courage...that is just what your words do for me and for everyone! Thank you!
DeleteI pray that you get back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dennis. Hope you are happy in your new church.
DeleteI do hope you're feeling better soon. I've been getting behind in visiting blogs...October was wicked busy! I gave a lesson last Sunday on the subject similar to that scripture. Very good advice! I love the movie "It's a Wonderful Life". I probably could recite it too! Get well and have a good week!
ReplyDeleteFunny thing, I am almost always reciting lines from movies, but getting them, just every so slightly WRONG! (Like "Play it again, Sam"...is really "play it, Sam" from Casablanca, so I am not the only one!)
DeleteHappy Autumn to you!
Oh no, Kay!!! I've been extremely behind on my blogging so I had no idea you were feeling bad. Oh, you have no idea how sorry I am to hear that. Makes my heart hurt! Please know that I'll be thinking of you. Trying to plan a trip to ATL now....will be after the holidays. Maybe January/February? I sure do hope we can meet up! Okay, take care of yourself!!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteI am getting better! Just have always been so healthy, so this had thrown me a bit.
DeleteMake sure you get in touch with me and let me know when you will be in this area!! As long as Stone Mountain is not covered in ice or snow, we will have to try to climb it together! What do you say??!! I LOVE it in the wintertime! Very often, it will be cold but if you bundle up, it's fantastic!
Bet you are crazy busy with your girls and all their school stuff and hope you are still seeing Harry Winston! xx
It is good news that you are finally recovering. The illness that makes you think you are going to die is only surpassed by the one in which you are afraid you won't. I hope you did not reach that bleak stage. Take care of yourself and keep getting stronger.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit hard to describe what has been happening to me. I think part of it is because I was so healthy and happy in England and then, almost immediately back in the USA, I went downhill so quickly. It was the contrast you see, it was a bit much.
DeleteGlad to hear you're feeling better again. Did you pick up some strange kind of British Bug while in England? That's not the kind of souvenir to bring back!
ReplyDeleteHA! No, I only got sick at the end of the first week back in the USA. (I was really tired, my immune system must have been down!) If it had been a British Bug, my wonderful Yorkshire tea would have cured it!
DeleteYes, a wonderful life. I am glad you overcame your illness. Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteMahalo!
Glad to hear you're on the mend, dear Kay. As someone who I think is about the same age as you, I'd definitely be offended by 'spring chicken' remarks! I haven't hit my prime yet - the best is still to come! xx
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder at people...they mean well, I suppose.
DeleteIt's funny, when I first read your blog, I thought when you spoke of your daughter, that she was very young and that you might be in your 30's...so you will always be a spring chicken to me! :-)
Glad you're getting better, it's true that as we become more mature, not older, it does take longer to shake things off. And we certainly don't need folks, well intentioned or not, telling us we're old.
ReplyDeleteIf you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all...a phrase that you don't often hear anymore and practiced even less.
DeleteIt is a wonderful life! So glad you are better !
ReplyDeleteThere are many people who have much worse off than I am....we must always LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE!
DeleteHi Kay, so glad to hear you are starting to feel better at last. That was a well-chosen quote you shared with us from Ephesians. Always good to remember; at least, I certainly need to remember it! I love the mirror portrait of you and your delightful husband.
ReplyDeleteI love that verse from Ephesians and I love that particular translation of it...that is may benefit those who listen, I wish people would take it to heart!
DeleteI loved the orchids in that room, they were real and they matched my blouse! Had to ask Richard to take that shot!
"It's a Wonderful Life"....a wonderful movie. It's always shown on TV here around Christmas and it's always worth watching again...and again...and again. Another one...completely different...but one I can't help but watch year after year at Christmas is "National Lampoon Christmas Vacation". It sucks me in every time! :)
ReplyDeleteSome people really know the right things to say, don't they??? No! They don't!
Don't push yourself too hard; take it easy and allow yourself time to get better without pressure.
As for the "red hen" I'm sure there are some in some quarters who will be squawking about that....some over-the-top politically-correct fanatics in the state of Victoria here in Aus banned "Baa Baa Black Sheep" from their kindergartens a couple of weeks ago because they claim it to be racist. I claim them to be politically-incorrect idiots! :)
Take care, Kay.
Oh yes, I love all those National Lampoon movies, we know them all by heart!!
DeleteAnd don't even get me started on politically correct, it has gotten totally ridiculous!
Oh! And thinking of Christmas movies, besides "It's A Wonderful Life" make sure you watch "Scrooge, The Musical"...it Is from the 70's and has Albert Finney as Scrooge. It is wonderful! Make sure you watch it!
And THIS Christmas, you MUST remember to see "Unbroken"! I think you told me it was filmed near you, am I right?
I've been missing from blogland so didn't know about your ill health, or even your trip. So glad you were healthy while away, you must have had some wonderful memories to occupy your thoughts while you weren't well. Do hope you are recovering now. Yes, it is a wonderful life. I've had a couple of health scares lately and really appreciate life when I come out the other side.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, I listened to Ella Fitzgerald on YouTube and that helped me...do you know "Someone To Watch Over Me"? Search it out and listen to her sing it, it's INCREDIBLE what she could do with her voice.
DeleteAppreciative of life, you know the feeling!
Thanks for your well wishes, the very same back to you. x
Love this header! And especially love the wonderful photo of you and Richard together.
ReplyDeleteI'm having thyroid surgery on Wednesday and have been worried about losing my voice. But the surgeon says this is unlikely so I'm trying to be calm.
I hope you continue to be better and better, my friend.
Thanks, Kristi!
DeleteGood luck with your surgery, I will be thinking of you. Keep calm and carry on...that is not just a slogan on a British poster, you know! Those Brits truly lived that during the war and we should learn from them!
I am getting better and I thank you.
Now YOU stay positive and tell your body to have the immune system in tip top shape! Show it who's the boss! x
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been ill. Having spent half my summer being in the hospital and in recovery at home, I know exactly what you are talking about. I'm still a little red hen and have encouragement for you. You will spring back. I did and I'm now up to full strength again. The Lord bless and keep you.
ReplyDeleteYes, you understand what I mean...not feeling so great, but still have to do the same things you have to do!!
DeleteHey! I like the way you said that...I will spring back, so maybe I really AM a SPRING chicken! HA! I am going to tell those folks that the next time they tell me that I am no spring chicken!
I like that.
DeleteSorry to hear that you have not been well, I hope that the side effects and the actual illness will be over very soon. Take care of yourself in the meantime and we will still be here when you get back. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I can feel the positive energy in your comment and it is healing to me. Blessings to you! xx
DeleteOh Kay, my dear friend, I so hope your illness is well and truly over very, very soon! Side effects can be so nasty, can't they... just when you think you've dealt with whatever it was that bothered your system originally, they hit you square around the head. Not sure what - if at all - it has to do with age. I certainly was ill more often (and with longer-lasting aftermaths) when I was in my 20s than now that I am fast approaching 50!
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of you and Richard in the mirror - until now, I somehow had not realized how different in height you are! A bit like RJ and myself :-)
"Square around the head", that is precisely correct, as usual your choice of words is spot on! I think I am getting better, I tell myself that anyway!
ReplyDeleteYes, Richard is way taller than I am! When I was younger, I always wore high heels so it wasn't as noticeable! Now, I try to stand on a rock or something! LOL!
Thanks for your well wishes, much appreciated, my friend!
You lost your voice?
ReplyDeleteNo wonder Richard is smiling!!!
Ha! No worries, I can still drive men crazy by leaving comments on blogs, if you know what I mean!
DeleteThat it is, Kay! And it is wonderful to hear that you are recovering. Give yourself all the time you need. that is probably difficult for someone who is so active throughout her day.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that verse from NIV. Thanks for sharing it.
So good to 'see' you today too!
Hey Jim!
DeleteThanks! And I do hope to get back to my "normal" self soon, as normal as I can get anyway! :-)
Hope you make a full recovery soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your well wishes!
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