Monday, December 03, 2018

12-3-2018 Monday 2pm

Good afternoon!
Late start today.  Caroline was already here with groceries, those got all put away, had lunch, and thought I posted two short videos of the boys on youtube but I still don't see them so I will just start and add them if they show up later.
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The videos are of Ian and Liam out playing in the snow.  This was Liam's introduction to being out and about in a bit of real winter.   
They're in the front yard here.
The videos never did show up so I had to try again.  This time they showed up--tada!  They're very short.  :)



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Throwing in a good picture of Blink, the mellowest cat in Fargo--lol!
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Besides the usual visitors and all the normal tasks...
...it was a very busy week.  Tuesday Caroline came to clean.  I worked on the bullet off and on all day to get set up for December--till 9:30pm!
Been enjoying those icon stickers I bought a while back.
Set myself up for adding a couple of the things that will be in the Julia Cameron book for the new year: exercise once a week and working on the calligraphy/lettering classes every Wednesday.
So I am all set up for December.
The past week I did extra stuff every day for six days--a taste of what's to come with the schedule changes.  Let's just say that by Gramma Day on Saturday it was a watch shows in Gramma's chair day--LOL!  Ian and I still had a good time, of course.
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So, I will use December to see if I can figure out how this is going to work.  What I found out already is that, for one thing, if I do get more done I have a lot less computer/screen time.  Here I am posting my Monday blog and I haven't even responded to the vast majority of last weeks commenters!  So, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to do that in the future--all the time or possibly at all.  Distressing.  Especially since I have a couple of new commenters!  Awk!  I have blogged for over 12 years and have always written back to anyone who comments...and it has never taken a week to do it.  Close, but this time was a real fail.  Maybe I'll have to limit my responses to questions asked like many people do?  Or maybe there's a way for me to juggle my spoons to get it done?  Honestly--I really don't know. 
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Doesn't take much to use up my spoons because I have had less spoons to begin with this whole year than I did the year before.  (If you don't know what I'm talking about you can check this link.)  
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So...how did I use up my spoons this last week?  Blogging, cleaning the humidifiers, working on the bullet, making out Christmas cards and letters every day (finished Sunday!), laundry, banking/bills end of the month, working on my grocery list for December, cleaning/washing in the pantry/kitchen, sweeping off the patio every other day, cooking/baking, filling the humidifiers every day, working on an Amazon order for December...and, of course, Gramma Day.  Doesn't sound like much--but for me it was quite a bit more than I normally do.  Nothing strenuous, by any stretch--but by Sunday I could hardly walk half the day.  
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So--from Julia Cameron's new book --adding in artist's dates, memoir days, and exercise days when you only have so many spoons...well, it means you have to prioritize, you know?  Some things will have to go or have way less time spent on them.  Already decided that I'm not even going to attempt the Morning Pages part of the 12 week program.  I already do a little journaling every day, anyways.  The most obvious thing I can cut back on is computer time.  So I was also un-subscribing all week, too.  Trying to get rid of the junk mail in my inbox from companies and cutting back on who I follow on youtube.  A good first step. 
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 The other thing I am going to do is quit facebook.  I have been debating about it for months.  I only post my blog on there and miss everything else anyways because I am not over there unless I get an email telling me something or other--LOL!  So, if you follow me on facebook, don't have a blog, and want to still read my blog posts--I do have a "follow by email" link on the right side of the blog.  :)  This will be my last post I'll link up on facebook.  Sorry.  
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The few times I actually HAVE spent time over there it is one giant rabbit hole for me--LOL!  I figure I'll wait a week before I quit so that I can read any comments from this blog post.  It's my understanding that once you "delete" your account--well, it has to sit there untouched for 90 days.  You can't go anywhere near facebook or you're back on and have to start all over again to quit.  So even though it will look like I am still there after this coming weekend--I will be gone and won't respond to anything on facebook.  
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I wonder if facebook actually ever deletes your account?  Does anybody know?
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Anyways, I am excited to try to make some changes and get some things done.  I could possibly feel this crappy for the rest of my life for all I know.  I have had other shifts last for 2-3 years.  (Fibro is very unpredictable.)  Sitting around with Annie writing letters and watching shows is quite nice and all--especially when you feel like you have the flu day in and day out--but I have things I want to do, to make, to learn!!  I have toys to play with!  I want to do art projects with Ian!  So, using Julia's book as--well--a kick in the butt and motivation to figure out how to juggle my spoons, change some priorities, and find out what I can and can't manage.....that is the plan.  I'm getting my feet wet this month and then will hopefully dive fully in come January.  (Dive may be a bit too vigorous a term for anything I do these days--LOL!)  Wouldn't it be nice to actually have some creative stuff to show you on Mondays?  :) :)
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What do you think about me not responding to your comments?  Or at least not as often?  Do you mind?  Do you think it will change our relationship?  I know I already too often can't always make it around to all the blogs I follow.  That may become harder, too.  I have been trying to at least read your blogs even if I don't always comment.  Just feels like this huge shift for me.  But I just plain don't have as many spoons and that has been going on for a good year now.  Magical thinking isn't going to amount to much.  ;)  Even if Annie prefers me in my chair--sorry, Annie--it's time to shit or get off the pot, as my dad used to say.  
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Play the hand you're dealt.  :)
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  It felt great to get more done the past couple weeks.  (Bad choice of words again--it actually "felt" worse--ROFL!)  Got more of some things done and less of others.  I will learn.  Harder to judge your pain level when it is already higher, if that makes any sense.  Haven't pushed myself over the brink yet--knock on wood.  Almost did a couple of days, but stopped what I was dong and took it easier the following day...and recovered!  I am learning how to ignore my body even more than ever before--LOL!  Ignore until the pain gets really sharp.  Not easy to want to push yourself into more pain when you already have more than you used to in the first place--and why I had been waiting for the better part of a year for it to subside, of course.  No such luck.  Them's the breaks.  Stay calm and carry on.
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Hopefully I'll have something to show you from my calligraphy class this week.  About time I get back to that.  Toe is in the water, folks!  LOL!  It's December--OMG!  This year just flew by.  Let me know what you think.  Thanks.  
Till next week.  
Love and hugs from Fargo!  :) :)
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"Let me fall if I must.  The one I will become will catch me."
Baal Shem Tov 

19 comments:

Rita said...

Comment to get comments--which I DO read and cherish every single one! :)

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Keep blogging and don't worry about replying to comments - just keep being YOU and sharing with your blogging friends. You could put a sort of "comment" inside your actual blog post each week to say you have read our comments just so we know you read them, maybe near the end of your post. Just my 2 cents.
Joy

Deb J. in Utah said...

God bless you, Rita. Got your annual Christmas card today. Love it! Thanks so much! Mine will be coming out in a week or two. Hope you stay in blog land. I have pretty much quit blogging this past year. Don't know if I will pick it up again. Your grandsons are darling!

Anonymous said...

DON'T OVERDO (but keep on blogging, it doesn't matter if you respond)!!

Bonnie said...

Love seeing the kids in the snow! I never heard of the concept of "using up your spoons" but I read the article and it makes a lot of sense! That's a good way to look at it. I don't think it is necessary for you to respond to all your comments. I think all your friends just love to read your blog and that is a lot of writing in itself!

Take care and pace yourself with those spoons!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

There are only so many hours in a day. Glad you got rid of FB. Please keep blogging. Respond ONLY when you have time.

Jon said...

The walk in the snow looks nice. There have only been flurries here so far, but I'm really hoping there will be snow for Christmas.

I abandoned Facebook about five years ago and never missed it. They have a way of collecting too much personal information and I always felt like I was being monitored.

I don't always respond to the comments on my blog. It's not that I don't want to - - it's simply because sometimes I'm too lazy. It all depends on my mood.

DJan said...

I never comment on my comments, it would be too much like WORK. I suggest you can start by stopping any responses to my comments. It won't make any difference to how much I care for you. Really. I mean it. Oh, and I got your Christmas card! Thank you so much for being such a caring friend. :-)

TammyVitale said...

thank you for sharing the spoon theory. It really does a good job of explaining chronic illness! And for sharing Cameron's latest book. I was really disappointed in a lot of her later work, so I hope you will give us a review of it.

Comments: some days I respond, some days I don't. Mostly people who are commenting have known me for ages and are commenting to be kind or because it's Art Every Day Month and those of us who blog (about 7 others now) try to support each other. I come here because I enjoy your story telling about your life. I get a kick out of "the girls" and your latest adventures with your gkids. So if you can't respond, you can't. I'll still be around. :)

Carol said...

Love seeing the boys in the snow!!! Don't worry about responding we just love to hear from you. I find I don't have time to respond to all comments any longer too and it stresses me out so I just gave it up for the most part.

Far Side of Fifty said...

I do not answer comment just reply to questions right on the blog comment, it works for me.
I think you need a new Doctor. I have a couple of friends with Fibro and other than a day here and there they are good...I wonder if you have something else? Or perhaps there is a medication that would help. One friend is on Lyrica and Prozac I think, the other does yoga:) I want you too feel good enough to do all your crafts and get out of that apartment once in awhile and have lots of good Grandma days!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

You write, I'll comment and you do not need to reply if you don't have time or feel like doing so.

The clips of the boys made me smile

pearshapedcrafting said...

Liam looks pleased to see you while he is walking along - he is doing so well !! I think it's good to take time for yourself and I won't mind at all if you don't get to comment very often! I have weeks myself as you know, when it's case of blog or comment - I often get a chance to read posts on my phone but find it so difficult to make comments ! I remember you trick with your spoons and it seems to still be working - although you do seem to have them piled quite high!!! Take care dear Rita! Hugs, Chrisx

Divers and Sundry said...

Kids in the snow! Sweet :)

It's your blog, and you get to decide how to manage comments ;) You say your activities don't sound like much, but everybody's different and each day is different. And we ain't as young as we used to be lol

Jenny Woolf said...

Of course you have to do what is best for you Rita. I enjoy your blog and hope you'll continue writing it. If you can read and comment on other blogs, I know you will if you can. Quitting facebook is a good idea. That can be a real time sink. The videos are so precious! Dear little Liam patting the car wheel. He'll quickly learn not to do that too often but right now he is simply finding out what something does when it looks like that wheel!

froebelsternchen said...

You do not need to replay always - don't mind!
This little boys are so cute!

Happy advent Rita!
Susi

Serena Lewis said...

Liam and Ian are adorable in the snow!

Blink sounds like the perfect cat for a young family.

Did I mention I bought Julia Cameron's book too? I may have done so in the letter on the way. Not sure when I'll get started on it as I have a lot happening...definitely something to do some time early in 2019. It sounds like you have a good plan worked out.

I'm with everyone else...PLEASE don't worry about replying to my comments. I am responding to your post and don't expect it, truly. We communicate snail mail anyways. If I ask a question here, you can always respond in a letter. You just take care of YOU, that is the main thing. You must be careful not to wear yourself too thin and, if sacrifices must be made. then so be it.

I totally get how easy it is for you to use up those 'spoons'. It doesn't take much for me either and I don't have Fibro but my back and hip debilitate me...even my hands of late...quickly.

Re. Facebook - If you Deactivate your account, it will reactivate if you sign back in at any stage. Also, with Deactivation, your friends won't see your Profile page at all if they click on your name. FB doesn't make it easy for you to Delete your account but I did it a few months back. You must go to the right spot in Settings to request Permanent Deletion. When I did that, I got an email back saying they would start deleting it in 14 days. I didn't go near Facebook for 4 weeks and, when I did, just to check, my account had been permanently deleted. I will email the details on where you need to go in Settings to Permanently Delete. Deactivation is not the same as Deleting.

Yep, definitely no diving...just tip those toes in, dear friend. :)

Love and hugs xo

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

Julia Cameron's book looks intriguing. I did "The Artist's Way" and really enjoyed it. Got a lot out of it. I'll be interested in reading what you think of it and if it is a worthwhile book.

Re: writing a response to a comment on your blog. I would focus on writing and doing what brings you joy. If writing back to people who have commented is draining for you, then it may be time to stop doing that. The focus should be on what feels right for you and doesn't take too much of your energy.


Intense Guy said...

Rita,
Do what you have to do - I admire your fighting spirit and greatly your friendship. Hearing from you when YOU feel the strength and the spoons to do so - is more than anyone can expect. I have finally posted a blog entry. I can't figure out what happened to the photo - but I'm not up to looking into it just now.
- me