How about a garden photo where something is blooming? This day lily, by the way, is situated between the two plants chomped on by the deer. I’m trying a homemade remedy that Vicki of Turkey Feathers has blogged about in the past. She uses it on her garden in Oregon and it seems to keep the deer away…. we’ll see. I sprayed it all over my plants this afternoon. Cross your fingers.
My blogger dashboard has completely changed! I use Blogger in Draft, so I don’t know if this is an official change yet or if it’s in the trial stage. It takes some getting used to, but the post editor is much clearer and easy to read. Have any of you discovered this yet?
Thank you, thank you for all the wonderfully supportive comments on yesterday’s post. I received some great advice and even a talking to or two that were sweetly and lovingly stern. My pal Brenda even called me right after she left her comment and proceeded to tell me to SLOW DOWN. Then she had me put Don on the phone and told him to keep me indoors!!
You are all right, I need to slow down and let my body recover from the illness, the hospitalization, the anesthesia, everything. Though it is not easy for me, I will take it easy. Don mowed a big chunk of the property today and just seeing the nicely mown lawn makes a difference. And acceptance of where I am in the healing process brings a sort of serenity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support.
We’ve been changing the way we ‘hang out’ in our home lately. I’ve been in the living room more often as a way to keep Riley (who has been suffering from a painful right hip) from going up and down the stairs into the den. This has become my place to read and blog – at least for a while. At the same time, Don has requested that we not sit in front of the television every night, endlessly looking for something to watch. He’s right; we waste so much time that way. We decided to only watch television if there is something specific we want to see. Otherwise, we’ve been spending our evenings in the living room, reading and talking. What a concept! Actually stop watching endless, loud commercials and advertisements for some pharmaceutical or other? Not watch something just because there’s nothing else on?? Radical, but I’m in. I feel calmer because of it. And also because I am on day 11 of no coffee. I’ve decided to stop drinking it for the sake of my digestive system and also because I have slightly high blood pressure. I never thought I could do it – but I have! I decided to take advantage of my time being sick and in the hospital to wean myself from it. Don is also doing it. He’s on day 7. Coffee is really problematic for those who suffer from chronic lyme disease and he does. Obviously, it is much easier for him to stop drinking it if I am not brewing up a pot every morning. Though I’m not a tea lover, I need something hot and warm every morning, so I have been making a cup of herbal tea. So far… so good.
Okay, I know this is a long post. I just had to show you something Don found in the shed this summer.
I made this plate rack with my very own hands about 11 or 12 years ago. I was collecting brown transferware and I wanted a place to display it. Every plate rack I saw was too expensive so I decided to make one. It has cup hooks (which you can’t see) under the bottom shelf.
I’m thinking I should find a place for it somewhere, although space is at a premium here at MHC. I’m rather proud of it. Should I paint it? What do you think? Any ideas will be welcome!
Good. Today sounds better. Cut the racket. Yes. Herbal teas – help. Gentle on yourself. Rest. Heal. Listen to Brenda.
When you feel better – maybe paint the shelf – BUT – only if it works in your space. I like pale grey right now for backgrounds in my space.
– Joy
S L O W down, Claudia. Give yourself a chance to recup easily. A cup o’tea a day will help ease your way … it is very soothing & healing.
Paint away, I love that plate cupboard. Do the back a soft color different from the outer sides, or maybe a bright bold color according to your color schemes.
NowI must know, what is this recipe for keeping the deer away.
Glad I caught up with you. I’ve been really s l o w on staying up with blogging. So good to see you.
Get well, my friend.
Hae a beautiful week.
TTFN ~
Marydon
I love the color of it now, unless it doesn’t blend with the interior of your house. Did you come leave a wish on my blog for the Fairy Hobmother? You could win.
DI
Take things slow and let your body heal a bit….
Well, how cute is that! And it was lurking in the shed? That needs to be on display, especially if you made it with your very own hands! I’m glad you’re taking it easy. I sometimes go days without turning the tv on. I read at night.
Brenda
So sorry, Claudia, for all your troubles. My mama told me, there would be days like this. Really. It’s tough when they come but, hopefully, they make us a little stronger and more able to get through the tough spots. I hope you get better soon. Wish you didn’t have to have your bladder out, though. Your symptoms remind me of Celiac disease. Have you looked into it? Just type it in your browser and you’ll get plenty of info. Lyme disease is a rough ride but,I hope your husband gets a good job soon and Riley comes out of his troubles. I’ll be praying for you all tonight. Love those day lilies in the photo! The dish rack is cute and you should paint it or leave it as you wish.
HI CLAUDIA, YOU SOUND SO MUCH BETTER, AND I AM SO HAPPY FOR THAT. I DRINK A LOT OF TEA, I LOVE TEA, AND IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD AND SO RELAXING. WHEN MY STOMACH IS OUT OF SORTS, I LIKE TO DRINK A CUP OF CHAMOMILE TEA. LOVE YOUR PLATE RACK, ITS A GREAT COLOR NOW, WHEN YOUR FEELING BETTER, MAYBE THEN YOU MIGHT WANT TO PAINT IT. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF MY FRIEND, AND GIVE RILEY A KISS FOR ME. RIZZI
So glad to hear you are better today. That cabinet is a gem, you should be so proud! I think it looks great the way it is, but if your colors have changed then paint it!
i was thinking about you today and came by to see how you were doing…looks like things are better today..GOOD !!! this makes me feel better…
happy to see this today
take care of yourself
we all love you
kary and teddy
xx
Glad to hear you are better today. That cabinet will love your TLC! Rest, read and breathe …
I’m sorry you haven’t been feeling well, Claudia…I can see why you hit the wall! Pamper yourself a little! The shelf is wonderful~ looking forward to seeing what you end up doing with it! XO
Claudia, you sound much happier today. The flowers are beautiful.
I like the color of the plate shelf, but I know that a lot of your decor is in softer colors now.
A suggestion….You built the shelf yourself…How about building it in miniature for your dollhouse? It would be a great piece for the kitchen.
Glad today is a better day. The human body is an amazing thing. You will heal, in time, on your body’s schedule, not yours. Savor your slow-down!!
I am glad you are having a better day! :-)
Oh Claudia!! I’ve been out of town for what feels like forever and missed all this that has happened to you! Sounds like you’ve had quite a time of it, I’m so glad you’re feeling better. Remember, you don’t have tackle the day, just the moment…one moment at a time girl!
big hugs,
paula:)
Glad to know you are dealing with the many changes in your life/health…………..but please take it easier, you are trying too hard perhaps – definitely let the weed whacking wait!
No painting YET, do it later when your energy returns, perhaps a nice creamy shade of white, or French grey – and the inside back a wee bit darker. It’s the kind of piece you can have a lot of fun with – wow, you really are a great woodworker!
As for the flowers, I know it’s heartbreaking when the wildlife destroy our plants which we’ve worked so hard to grow – hope the remedy keeps those pesky (but so pretty!) deer away.
Yes, TV stinks – we basically only watch Netflix, some movies, and British TV series now on our screen – except for some news now and then, but that’s just too depressing! I’ve even given up HGTV because it’s boring and repetitive.
Take good care dear one – thinking of you, Don and the doggies, hoping your Mom improves, and wishing you better days ahead.
Hugs – Mary
Claudia that plate rack is gorgeous. I would have to paint it white, but the color is wonderful as is too, if that fits your decor better. You are so clever to make something like that! Funny you should mention TV. I pulled my back out last week and was in bed for four days. About the third day flat on my back, too painful to turn on either side, I was getting tired of reading, and looking at the ceiling. All of a sudden it occurred to me that I have a TV in my room! On the wall at the foot of my bed. I watch so little TV these days, I had forgotten the silly thing was even there. LOL Had to laugh at myself as I used to be a TV junky!! Just read your last post and I so hope things are getting a bit better for you. Please do rest and take care of yourself. ♥
Glad to hear that Brenda got a hold of you and you are taking it easy for a while.
Now, about the cabinet. I’m thinking that rustic red is not really in your color palette now. How’s about a nice mellow teal of a creamie white. But, it’s a keeper that’s for sure. Nice job.
Take it easy this weekend,
kate
Good for you!!!! My husband and I have joined netflix and have really enjoyed watching movies together rather than, as you said, searching for something worth watching. He’s on the computer alot, too, while I read and do crossword puzzles, or knit, or crochet, or whatever.
I love your plate rack!!!! You made it?????!!!!! You should be making furniture to sell!!!!!
I wouldn’t paint it, unless it really doesn’t go well with other things in your cottage. I seem to remember that you have used red as an accent color. If you are like me, though, that wouldn’t matter anyway. If I like something, I use it. I can’t wait to post about the great cart that I brought home from the church cleanup yesterday!!!! It’s like a tea cart, but was made for transferring canned goods, etc. when our church had a food pantry. (We are in with a bunch of churches now, for a much larger ministry for the needy) So, this cart is amazing, but no one wanted it, so it’s mine!!!!
How did I get off on that?
Anyway, I’m glad you are heeding the advice to take it a little easier!!!! Your body does need time to heal!
Hi Claudia,
I have been away for three days, with a migraine, so I am so sorry to hear you have had a setback. Please do take care.I love the red of your cabinet and would try to wiggle it in somewhere!
xoxo,
Olive
Girl, you body and mind are telling you to give them a rest, and you must obey. You’ll feel better for it. Try not to look around and see what needs to be done. Instead look around and savor all of the goodness.
Sending love to you.♥
And, speaking of love, I love your plate rack. You’ve got to find a place for it.
Hi Claudia,
I have been very busy the past week…preparing for the 4th of July on our boat and also I have a close girlfriend coming to visit me for a few days…beginning on this Sunday afternoon. All good things but require preparation, so I have not been on my blogs as regularly. Things become routine for me again after this week. I have missed checking in with all my blogging friends. I am very sorry that I didn’t realize you had a gallbladder attack, hospitalization, and were going through a difficult time….a bump in the road…. that we all sometimes encounter at times. I will keep you in my prayers. Congratulations on giving up coffee. Not an easy thing to do! In the Seattle area, with grey days at times in the winter, we drink so much coffee—too much I think. I am trying to drink more tea, too. I find it relaxing in the evening before bed. There is a Celestial Sleepy Time tea I have been drinking or just a nice decaf green tea. You are so right about tv. My husband and I find we are paying more and more for cable and there is less on that is worth watching (in my opinion). Most of the time, we end up putting on movies that we love. I think taking time to be with each other is wonderful. I LOVE the cabinet you built! You did a fabulous job on it, and I would definitely place it in your home. Many hugs to you, Claudia, I went through a gallbladder incident a year ago…put when they did a function test on me, it came out okay. Still have my gallbladder for now. Hoping it doesn’t act up again. Take time to pamper yourself with the things and people you love and relax to heal. Also, I wanted to tell you that a couple of days ago I received the book I won from the publisher with a nice note from them. I am hoping to start the book after my girlfriend leaves to go back home. I am looking forward to her visit. I will be posting much shorter things for the next week while I focus my time on my friendship. Have a beautiful day, Claudia. xoxo Kim
Glad you are feeling better, sorry I had to rush off the phone but it was raining and Max and I were getting totally sooaked. Love the plate rack, and I love the color.
And by the way love you sister,
Mere
So glad to hear today is a brighter day for you Claudia. I too have trouble slowing down and the effects of anesthesia can hang around longer than we think they do. Continue to take it easy and Netflix is the way to go, I say. It is not expensive, so convenient and they have so many films, documentaries, tv shows to choose from. Commercial-free! Of course, nothing beats a good book. Ann
I think that you should paint it your signature blue color and fill it full of all the things that make you happy. You can consider it your healing shelf. So glad to hear you are looking after yourself. You have lots of friends who care about you and are ready to scold you if you over do it!!! Now about that reduction of TV ~ I want to do that too. I don’t know how many hours we waste in front of the TV channel scanning to little end. Thanks for the inspiration. Bentley sends you a big kiss!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Claudia! You are doing great with kicking the coffee habit! Did you get any headaches or nausea? I’ve kicked the habit a few times and then one cup (because it smells so good) and I’m back on it again. Hope Riley feels better. It’s difficult to see our beloved furry family members in pain.
That has got to be frustrating having deer eat all your flowers. We have deer here but I have a fence and they don’t come into my yard.
Take care and enjoy some down-time.
Sandy
Claudia, one more comment….Love your red cabinet! I’d leave it the color it is. You’re a talented woodworker. Love the previous post about making it your healing shelf. In that case either green or blue would be a great healing color.
hang in there claudia!!!!!!! i just took my neighbor to the hospital about a month ago w/her crazy blocked duct….she was trying to pass a stone into her liver i think??? who knows, but she was sick, sick, sick!!! she is much better now that her gal bladder is out!!! ugh. sucks. hang in there.
the deer ate all my plants this year…my hostas (spell), my hydrangea, my black eyed susan plants too. we must have distant relative deer. lol.
good luck with your family. happiness and success are fleeting. seems like so many bloggers have it great all the time and sometimes it looks like they have it all together….that can only hold up so long….success, health, wealth, and sustaining it all is fleeting….bad times too….
hope your good times roll back REAL soon!!!!!!!!!
lol
Sweet Claudia! I am so sorry that I have had to catch up on your blog since July 1st!! And did not know about your GB problems, hospitalization, etc. I feel terrible about it! I have been consumed with Hubby’s condition and have not been blog visiting like I usually do. I have been having trouble commenting for the last month also. No one seems to be able to tell me why. Hubby is doing a smidge better now. I love all of the photos you shared today and so sorry about the deer eating your beautiful flowers! I love the plate display piece that you made with your own two hands, it is beautiful just like it is. you are so talented. Much love and prayers, Kerrie
Oh dear, sorry you haven’t been well, it must be in the air….I am in the middle of a flare up, but I am glad you are on the mend! I really like the cupboard you made, that is lovely! I am sure whatever you do with it will be great, maybe the blue color that is your signature?
Hope the help with the deer problem works. Wish I could wean myself off of coffee too, it’s hard when everyone else is drinking it, I always feel like I am being a pain when I ask for tea…..
Take care and do rest and take it easy!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B
xx
Sometimes it takes a bump in the road to get us to stop (been there done that) and to see what is important in life. We move too fast through life we do not enjoy the simple things or forget what they are. I am sorry to read you had surgery but pray you are doing better and will try and take care of yourself. You are so correct, leaving the tv off is a new concept that is forsure. Amazing what you find to talk about. We found that out when the lights were off during a storm and there was no tv. Unless there is something on PBS we find other things.
Lifting you all up before the lord and pray jobs will come Don’s way very soon and you find something you can do local and not have to travel. Traveling is so stressful anyway you look at it. Your poor body had to tell you to slow down.
GOD bless and keep you all safe in his care and keep you all healthy.
Oops, I forgot to say, YOU did an outstanding job on that shelf and I cant believe it was out in the shed. It deserves a place of honor in your cottage. You are too talented for words.