I have learned a lot about blogging over the last couple of years since I began doing it, and I have made hundreds of mistakes like oversubscribing and then being overwhelmed by emails, unsubscribing then trying to find people again, trying to read everybody’s thoughts every day, not having time to comment, not having time to answer comments, etc!
One of the things I have discovered about the WordPress blogging world is an abundance of compassion and empathy and very real (albeit internetted) connection. I don’t even remember now what I intended with this blog with all its faux pas, and now obselete pages, and ideas and goals that went nowhere. I was surprised and delighted when people responded to my birdy posts, then extremely moved that those same people would offer such amazing support to me/us as we faced our traumas of life.
Ming’s pre-op. appointment is on Wednesday so the date for his surgery must be soon (we still don’t know). His court case is likely to coincide which is going to be tricky (we still don’t know that date either).
So this is a longwinded way of saying that I probably won’t have time to read, like or comment on the blogs I subscribe to (too many ha!) but I will still keep posting mine if that’s okay. I will try to catch up with your blogs in the new year.
Happy Christmas!
jmgoyder 
Just be fine my dear Julie, I hope and wish everything goes well in your life. You know you are always in my thoughts. Best Wished for the New Year and Happy Christmas. Thank you, Love, nia
The feeling is mutual NIa!
Understood! Good luck, and be well to you all! Well wishes for Ming’s surgery. And a very happy Christmas to you all.
Thanks Colleen – am just struggling to keep up with everything!
Take the time you need. Many of us are struggling right now.
I know you are – thanks!
I understand completely as things have been ‘discombobulated’ in our household for awhile. I guess we all have ‘a lot’ of bloggers we subscribe to and sometimes I can’t read them all either but do try to see if it is something I definitely must read or is of a nature that I need to… or feel led to for one reason or another and when I do have extra time read most of them.
You need to give whatever spare time you have to Ming and Anthony also right now… so keep in touch with what is going on… take care … Diane
Just take good care and find some time if you can just to breathe a bit…loads of love and hugs
As the self-appointed arbiter of what’s proper, it’s definitely proper for you to take a break from reading/commenting, and even from posting if need be. But I’ll be looking forward to any updates you can manage to post. Best wishes for all good outcomes for Ming.
All of us, who have followed you through these trials and joys, and hope we understand even a little of the enormous challenges you face with such grace and strength, would rather that you did not bother with visiting at all for the time being. When you do get a chance to write we will visit you and be very grateful to do so.
I hope this is not too heavy a thing to say but you are an inspiration to me. Every time you turn around lately another bomb goes off and you breathe deeply, look for the good things, clean up the mess and then breathing deeply again, proceed to deal with the consequences. And some of these dealings will take years so then you go about adjusting your life to accommodate the changes. Keep your eye firmly focused on the balls you have up in the air. And breathe, just breathe.
Also though i am sure i don’t want to sound like your Mama. Make sure you eat properly, even when the thought of food makes you sick with all that tension taking up so much room in your belly. In the theatre we call it “Feeding the Beast” Feed it. Just hold your nose and stuff vitamins and proteins down your throat. Then go for a walk every day. Ming too. You need to keep yourself in top form, you and ming are going into a marathon now. Train for it. OK enough of the unasked for advice.. love love.. c
what a wonderful caring response!
Oh Jules, yes it’s not only okay, but we require you to keep us ‘posted’.
You just put perfectly into words what I could not myself find a way to say. Although for obvious logistic differences, and life details, I keep finding myself not able to read, like and comment like I want either.
Thank you for saying what I mean. (and please no reply here is necessary. Just accept my hug sent across the miles.)
we are here for you no matter what
First and foremost, take care of you and yours …. be well!
Jules, you are such an awesome blogger I don’t care if you come by my blog to read and comment. I just want to be able to come by yours and read how you are doing and what you are thinking and see your beautiful photos. Please don’t every worry about getting to my blog. I can barely keep up with the limited few I follow so I know how hard it is. No pressure from me ever!
And can you believe it I only this month found the wordpress READER button! It makes it all so much easier to read and respond to the blogs I follow. 🙂
You are loved Jules, and that’s just a fact. Sending love and hugs for the dreaded dates. And praying for favor from the judge, and an awesome outcome from the surgery. 🙂
Much love to you and your family. Merry Christmas and a Happier New Year. xo…dale
I hope everything will go well for Ming. You need to spend all your time looking after and encouraging your loved ones at this time, Julie. Happy Christmas to you. xx
Oh how coincidental, Julie. Last night my daughter, husband, mom & I were driving home from a concert 2 hours away. My mom goes to a Senior Center all of the time and we were listening to her stories about. I said, “Mom, I’m so glad you have the Senior Center! Imagine how many years there wasn’t one in your town. Can you imagine if your mom would’ve liked it when she was alive?” My mom agreed and said one of the many benefits is the programs of education, including Alzheimers. We got talking about how there is so much to learn and I told her how I’d learned so much from following your blog.
I told her how I started following you, I think, because of your peafowl. And then I got caught up and interested in hearing about Anthony, Ming, and you and all you’ve been through. And how you’ve gotten such a great support following.
It has taught me so much. And every now and then, pretty peafowl and such…
What a blessing humankind can be for each other. Thinking of you from Vermont, USA. Good luck with everything.
-Tammy
Best Wishes for Ming’s surgery (and court case). Hope all goes well with both.
Yes, Christmas is a busy time and I daresay many of us bloggers will run out of time, so don’t feel you need to apologise.
Vicki
x
Sometimes I have to bypass things, then find I can catch up on my WordPress site in the “Reader” section – that’s a handy thing! have a Merry Christmas with loving time with friends and loved ones throughout the holiday season with prayers that all will have faith and strength one day at a time.
Good luck with everything.
Totally understood Jules but do keep us updated? Thinking of you with the surgery and court coming up.
If you want a human voice on the end of the phone during it all just email and we can exchange numbers. xx annie
Yeah strange you haven’t heard about the opp as yet as the pre opp is usually only a few weeks before the opp. I have been finding it hard to get around blogs the last couple of weeks I am just so busy
Of course it’s okay. You have two biggies coming up that need your attention and a third equally biggie, tending to you and keeping your stress level no higher than the twilight zone. You be well, take care of you, and I’ll be here hoping all goes well and we see good news coming over the cyber horizon. Love, Paulette
no worries, julie. we’ll know you’re around and read your words. we’ll welcome you back when you have the time and energy to talk back to us once again. beth
Julie, Enjoy your time off, I will still be here plugging along. Take care, Bill
You have a lot on your plate right now; just keep us informed about how Ming is doing…
Totally understandable. You have so much going on right now. I do hope you have time to keep us posted on what’s happening there. Take care!
I wish you and your family some brighter skies ahead.
Merry Christmas, Julie, & enjoy your intermission 🙂
Sometimes I’ve been so overwhelmed by emails I have deleted them all just to have a clear inbox, stopped a few days and come back to it. I DO know what you mean.
Sincere best 🙂
My precious friend – as long as you keep us posted on what is happening in your life. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish things were easier for you. Much love and hugs. xxx
Julie, we’ll be here when you get back. In the meantime we pray and send good wishes to you and yours. You know we do!
Sometimes reading other great blogs is a wonderful distraction, support and inspiration but sometimes you need to give other matters all your attention – thoughts are always there!
Have a truly blessed and problem-resolved Christmas!
just take care of you and your loved ones. that is our first priority, it has to be. i have not been as able to participate as i would like and i think all have made it through:) sending love and hugs. warm and loving thoughts go out to you, ming and anthony.
Good luck with everything. You’re juggling a lot.
Good luck in the weeks to come. You’ve got a lot going on, and Christmas on top of it! Reading and commenting be damned. You’ve got a life to live after all.
I eagerly await each post.
Wishing you and yours the best this holiday season.
Hi, JM! Thanks for signing back up — we should get that site going soon, and I know you are one of my most faithful readers. 😎
I took a break from blogging and am still trying to catch up with everyone!
Me too. And my notifications won’t load up oj my Google Chromebook. Aaaarrrrrgggggggghhhhhh!