After a good 9 months of continued exacerbations which, unfortunately, barely remit before another exacerbation hits, I've been forced with a decision. I need to take a blog break to figure out exactly what my new limitations and abilities are. Some things my fumble fingers were capable of, have declined considerably, and my hand-eye coordination is basically non-existent right now.
I'm only sharing because in the past, I was accused of being "snobbish", or individuals have asked if I was angry with them. Neither is the case - I'm just overwhelmed, trying to do the smallest of things such as brushing my teeth, doing e-mail, loading the dishwasher or even showering. After discussing this with hubby and good friend Anne Temple, I'm going to take a blog break - hopefully only a month or so - as Jack and I figure out where my new plateau is, and which abilities are comfortable abilities, as opposed to no-longer-my-abilities-but-I-am-in-denial-because-I-still-want-them-to-be-abilities.Thanks for understanding - and I hope you will bear with me til you see my re-emergence!
hugs and kisses,
54 comments:
Sending hugs :-)
Dearest Donna...You are right to take a break and re-evaluate your priorities. Health will always come first.
Thank you for letting us know, as I for one would have wondered and cared where you where x.
You always leave such kind, generous and uplifting comments on my blog, which I truly appreciate x.
Look after yourself and I am sending hugs, positive thoughts and love x
Take care and we hope the break will enable you to relax and heal
Kathyk
Hope to see you back soon. Sending hugs.
Oh my dear friend, I'm with you no matter what!! I completely understand your need for a break and will miss your while you're gone! I will still "chat" with you when we can to let you know I'm here, but you know that!! :) SENDING YOU TONS OF LOVE AND HUGS P.S. I love your little memes here!! LOL!
Dear Donna....
You are one of the bravest people I know. Take as much time as you need. Your creative heart and energy will still be brewing and, when your body is again up to it, will bubble forth in more inspiring creations. You are in my prayers while you reassess strategies for making your life more workable. I don't comment on your blog as often as I should, but I love seeing your projects as my email notifications pop up from your posts. Gentle hugs and much love to you, friend. May the Lord comfort you during these difficult days and grant you strength and peace through His mighty hand.
<3 J
jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com
Sending good thoughts, Donna! Take the time you need to take care of yourself!
So glad you took the time to let us know about your break from blogging. It is of course the right thing to do until you can get your health under control better. Just know I will be thinking of you and wishing you God's blessing that you will be better soon. I will certainly miss you but I fully understand the need for you to take this break. Take all the time you need as I understand only too well the need for this at times. Sending you a hug from me too.
Oh, my dear friend, my prayers are with you. Jack is such a marvelous man. You're going to be missed terribly while you're on your break. Contact me if there's anything I can do, even if it's just to tell you a joke to cheer you up. :-D Hugs.
Donna, I shared this with both teams. :-D NC
I always enjoy seeing your creations. You will be missed, but please make yourself a priority. Thank you for letting your followers know. Take good care. Sending prayers.
Everyone needs to kick back and reevaluate sometimes. Take care, take your time, and most importantly, be well.
Keeping you in thought and prayer. Hugs, Debi
Please take good care of yourself, I will keep you close in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs, Donna
Take care of yourself. It's what's important now.
Hi Donna
Sounds like a smart idea to me, you need to do what's right for you. We all love to hear from you, but not at the expense of your health and wellbeing! Hoping things improve for you and you have the support you need. Thinking of you and your amazing talent. hugs, CarolG
Sweet, Donna. Shame on anyone for thinking you snobbish! I know you've been struggling and I totally get that you need to re-evaluate your abilities after you take a break and see if it makes a difference. The stress and frustration of trying to do something too difficult can't be making things any better. Maybe you'll develop a new style. I'm glad you're letting it go for a while. I'll be right here when you re-emerge and in the meantime I'll be thinking about you. Big hugs, my friend!
I have the privilege of being your friend. You do go thru such agony at times. As much as we will miss your blog, you are making a wise choice to assess what you can do to make your life easier. I understand it is important to try one thing at a time to ascertain which things you are able to do, and which you should eliminate. Best wishes, sending you much love and caring.
Donna, you have always been one of the kindest, warmest people I’ve met in blogland. I’m so sorry you’re struggling, and you will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers. Your health has to come first, and I’m so glad you have supportive family and friends. Take care, sweet friend!
Donna, I an so sorry to hear you are feeling a need to step back from your blog- meaning you are not up to creating! Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Oh, my dear friend, I'm so sorry that you're having to take a break but sometimes it's exactly what the body and the mind need. You're in my thoughts and prayers, Donna. Sending you big hugs and warm wishes to see you back here very soon. Take care yourself and God bless ~ Lena xx
Sending hugs and love from Amsterdam(NL)!
You have no need to explain yourself at all Donna, I know for one exactly where you are coming from and have had to do the same in the past. At the end of the day you have to do what is tight for you and anyone who fails to understand that probably doesn't deserve your support and friendship anyhow - sorry we speak direct from the hip here in the Fens.
You need to re-group, rest as long as your body needs and take time to adjust and to accept your new limitations (I know that's always the hard bit) but you will bounce back and I for one will be pleased to see you when you do.
I am not going to mail you as I know only too well that you will then feel the need to reply, we are I'm afraid two of a kind.
Take care my friend,
B x
Oh Donna, I am so sorry, you are such a talented lady and I hope you will soon adapt to your "new normal" in a way that lets you use those talents. You still managed to make me smile in this post though with the term no-longer-my-abilities-but-I-am-in-denial-because-I-still-want-them-to-be-abilities. I must tell my Mum about that - she's 94 and has been disabled for 20 years but she's always saying things like "I'm going to clean the house today" or "When I start going out for walks again" - things she is totally incapable of.
We will miss you, Donna, but health comes first. Get some rest, my friend, and we will be waiting as long as it takes to see you back in blogland. Hugs and please take care of yourself.
I'm sorry to read this Donna, you should not feel pressured to do anything you do not wish to do and anyone that accuses you of being snobbish or of being angry with them should be ashamed of themselves.
You take all the time you need to decide what you can do in the future and make sure it is what is right for you and Jack.
I will still be here when you make your decision and I'm sure the majority of your online friends will be the same.
You take care of yourself and take all the time you wish.
Sending you love and hugs.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x
Hello dear girl, I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling at the moment and it sounds like you've made a sensible decision. Your health has to be your priority and if there are those who fail to understand that, ignore and get them off the Christmas list.
You need to reassess both your physical and mental strength, and remember that's not any kind of failure that you need to do this. Take whatever time you need, we will all be here when you feel it's right for you to come back.
Sending you healing thoughts that you feel better soon, Big Hugs, Kate x x 💕
Aww Donna, so sorry to read this. I know how much you have been struggling with your mobility and coordination (and how determined you were not to let it stop you doing what you love!) It really is time to take break a now, much as you will be missed. You need to put yourself first and rest, physically and mentally renew yourself and come to terms with what is and what isn't possible. I hope to see you back, soon! Take care lovely lady and please stay in touch.
hugs
xxx
I totally understand, Donna! I fight the dilemma everyday, trying to come to terms with my current limitations. Then, when I think I have it figured out, they change again. That’s life, as the song says! I hope your break is only temporary but will understand if it stretches on for a bit. Take care of you - physically, mentally, and spiritually. It’s easy to get discouraged at times like this.
Sending a virtual hug!
Dear Donna I am so sorry to read this. You must do what is right for you. Take care of yourself and only do what you are comfortable with. You are precious. Hugs Jackie
You come first. Hopefully by next month you'll have things sorted out to what it is exactly you can do that is comfortable to you. Just like everyone else the new normal may not be as pleasant as they think. I know that you are putting your faith in the Lord and pray that all will go well with you. We'll miss you as you rest your body and mind. Prayers to you and hugs, too. [Bunny]
so sorry to hear this Donna.
hope you get a little better that you can do some things.
feel better wishes and big kisses my friend.
we see you when you are ready for it.
Iám always here.
Gr Karin
Donna first you will be so missed, as with your amazing works of art and encouraging blog comments.
I totally understand and thank you for sharing your story, my prayers are with you on your new path. Hugs, Lori m
Take care of yourself. You come first. I hope that you will find what is best for you and I hopw we see you soon. Big Hugs!
Oh my sweet, loving, thoughtful Donna. I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering so much & are in pain. Anyone who doesn't understand, is not a true friend & you are better off without them in your life. Your friends will be here when you feel able to return. You know you will be in my thoughts & prayers. I know I speak for everybody that we hope you will be back in the fold with us again soon.
Gentle Hugs
Cathy
xxxx
Sending Much Love, Hazel xx
Hi Donna, I think we have all taken time re-evaluate our life over the past month or two. You need to do what is best for you and adjust and accept your own limitations. Don't be too hard on yourself my friend.
Take care and stay safe.
Gentle Hugs
Linda xxx
Oh Donna, I am so very sorry to read this blog post. Of course you need to do what is best for you, but I will surely miss your glorious fairy cards with all that shine and glitz, the stories you tell with them and the amazing creativity you have inspired me with.
Prayers that your break will be good for you to find your spot, even if it has to be a new one.
Hugs Monica
Take care my friend and hope to see you soon.
Wishing you all the best as you take this time away to figure out how things will go from here on out. I am so sorry that things are getting so hard for you. I sure hope that a little break will be all you need.
Do take care of yourself!
Donna, you have been so kind and supportive to so many, I can't imagine who would possibly think you are being snobbish! I'm sorry it has come to this, but I understand. I wish only the best for you and hope that in time the exacerbations will subside for a time, and that you still have hands that will cooperate with you. If that happens, we will all be here with bated breath to hear how you are. No pressure to create, though I hope your creativity remains and that you find a way to use it in a way that makes you happy. Even better if you choose to share it with the world. Lots of us will be thinking of you and wishing you well... and missing your work. Take care, my friend!
Hi Donna, it’s totally understanding and sometimes a break is what is needed, for whatever reason. It’s not about not caring, for myself I think card making is a hobby, an important one for me to be able to relax, and it should never be about feeling like it’s a job one has to do, where’s the fun in that? Take care of yourself:)
Hi Donna, Totally understand and hope your break gets you the peace you need to see where to go next.
Sending heaps of positive healing thoughts and huge hugs Sue
Dear Donna, I am so sorry to read that you have been feeling worse. This makes me sad as I know how much you already have suffered. I hope your break is helpful and that things will settle down, and that you will have some good days in between the bad. Please know I'm thinking about you and praying for an improvement in your health. Sending hugs and positive vibes, my friend.
Oh my god ... it all sounds so terrible. I'm so sorry for you Donna !!!! I wish you all the best, get well again and use the time you need !!! I will miss you and I am with you in my thoughts !!!
Love, hugs and kisses!!!
Doris
Sorry to read this De, I know you find it hard and sending love to you, try and keep in touch...xxx
Donna it is important to take care of yourself and figure out your limits, I wish you all the best and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Big hugs!
Just stopping by to say Hi....Just to let you know I am thinking of you. The Lavinia challenge went live and I missed seeing your amazing creations.
Sending love and hugs and positive thoughts x
Just checking this post and I know I did read it and honestly thought I had commented-mind you caught myself closing comments before I had posted to who know?
So sorry to read this and miss seeing your creations and reading all your blogger tips but your health comes first and foremost hope you are doing well and hope to see you back soon
carol x
Hello my friend - hope your doing ok - MISS YA and stay safe
I am thinking of you, Donna. Please take care of yourself in these strange we all live. Kisses!
Yes, by all means, you need to put your health first Donna. I can't imagine anyone attributing negative motivations to anything you do. As one who is an introvert, and who also deals with intermittant auto-immune flare-ups, I'm probably seen as anti-social by some of my friends and acquaintances at times. Fortunately, my trials are not as severe as yours, and I'm sorry you've had to struggle so.
Take all the time you need, and if you come back to blog..we'll be thrilled to see you! If not, then I hope you can continue to craft for pleasure as your health allows. Take care and stay safe.
Thanks for letting us know. You are so brave, but you really need to take care of yourself and I hope you, with wonderful Jack's help, get the situation under control. I miss our talks!
Dearest Donna,
I could have sent an email but came to visit your blog and saw this post. Thank you for explaining what you are going through. You are such a brave lady and I salute you. I am sending lots of good energy your way and I hope you feel it.
Lots of love always,
Monica
Dearest Donna,
I could have sent an email but came to visit your blog and saw this post. Thank you for explaining what you are going through. You are such a brave lady and I salute you. I am sending lots of good energy your way and I hope you feel it.
Lots of love always,
Monica
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