THIS
Happy Tewe’s Day, everyone. Hope you all had great weekends. Mine was busy, busy, busy, but a bit more upbeat than the last few have been. My computer is still working, though there’s a problem with the co-ax cable which causes us to lose WiFi if it gets bumped even slightly. We’ll replace with new cable the next time it goes out. For now, I’m back in business. And therein lies the rub. (Some famous guy once said that in a play, you know. 😀 )
THAT
The said “rub” mentioned above: I’ve been told by several people including friends (you know who you are), family, and even my family doctor that it’s possible … just possible, mind you … I’m trying to do too many things at one time. Huh. I never knew that would become a problem. Guess I figured I could handle as much stuff when closing in on 80 as I’ve been handling all my life. Apparently that was a Fool’s Dream. (Who knew?) Consequently, I’m busy trying to work out a schedule that lets me do as much as I can manage without pushing myself over the metaphorical cliff.
With that in mind, some things will have to go. Others I’ll mostly just need to cut back on the frequency of. (My beloved Wildlife talks may have to be cut to one a month, instead of two, for instance. Twenty-four a year is becoming problematic, so we’ll see if twelve works better.) But rest assured, I’m NOT giving up entirely on anything I either love to do, or need to do, especially my current WIP! It’s right at the top of my list, and Rabbit is getting antsy, since he’s full of things he wants me to write down for him. 😊
Our weekend home and garden projects are still a “need to” situation for now, but once most of them are completed, those can be cut WAY back. I do need to do at least a bare minimum of typical household chores fairly often, too, darn it.( Laundry will not wash itself, no matter how nicely I ask! 🙄 )
But saddest of all, I may have to cut back on the frequency of some of my blog posts (and even temporarily, some of my blog visits). To help prevent too much of that nonsense, however, I’m going to go ahead and schedule most of my regular “series” posts (#GrannySays, #ThorsDaySmile, etc) through the end of the year, though #MondayMeme is on a break for now. This will give me time each week to handle the guest posts I still intend to run any time I have folks who’d like to visit. (I do have openings for both #TenThings & GuestDayTuesdays, and will post a list of those dates later.) And on weeks when I find extra time available, I may throw in some bonus posts of my own on various topics, just for fun. No promises on those, though, as I’m going to behave exactly as I’ve been advised to!
THE OTHER THING
Last of all, this is idea is already starting to work. I’m in a much better frame of mind today than I’ve been in for several weeks. Having a plan in place always helps me relax, and even if I’m still working on the implementation of it, I know I’m on the right track.
Thanks to all of you for your understanding and patience, and especially to those of you who’ve been extra supportive of me lately as I’ve stumbled around trying to make all the things I want to do work as easily as they used to. That’s not likely to be possible any longer, but that doesn’t mean I have to give up on everything I love! Not at all! I just have to be prudent and use some common sense. I can do that, no matter what anyone thinks. I can! Honest. No, really … I mean it! 😂😂😂 I’ll just pay more attention to the things Granny Says! 😉
Thanks for Sticking With Me Through This LONG Post!
STILL LOVE ALL YOU GUYS!
The Write Stuff 
I, too, have had to slow down and choose what to do and what not to do. So I completely understand, my friend. Life catches up to us all at some point. The important thing is to look after yourself. Sending hugs and love 💕🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. I figured most folks would understand that there comes a time you have to lighten the load at least a wee bit, but I absolutely knew YOU would. You are a wonderful example of all the things a person can accomplish in Life against the obstacles that Life often throws in our path. I don’t think giving up is in either of our natures, but hopefully we both are smart enough to know what our limits are and not do attempt things (or to follow a schedule of things) that will eventually overwhelm us physically or mentally.
Keep on taking good care of yourself, enjoying all the things you love at a pace that works for you, and I promise to do the same! Many huge hugs to you, my friend! 🤗💖🤗
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🤗💖🤗
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Sounds like you have a plan in place, Marcia, now you just need to stick with it!
I’ve been really low key the last couple of days fighting terrible allergies. I don’t recall every being this wrecked before by something so basic. Ugh!
You take care of yourself, and I’m glad to hear you’re still chatting with Rabbit. That boy always has stories to tell! 🙂
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I do, Mae … I HAVE A PLAN!! Yippeeee! And I know I can make it work! Thanks for the encouragement.
I’m sorry to hear about your allergies. I’ve been plagued with them for several weeks, too, as our outside chores are stirring up lots of dust, pollen, and air mold. GACK!! Wretched stuff to deal with, and I hope yours clear up SOON!
And it’s great to know you’re looking forward to more Rabbit! That makes me super eager to get back to Cole, Cole, & Dupree Thanks so much for stopping by! 😀 ❤️
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❤️
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i’m looking forward to whatever you post whenever you post. I guess you and the hubster (and any furry family members) will have to tiptoe around the coax cable for now!
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Thanks so much, Priscilla. I think I’ll have time to do a guest post or a “bonus post” from me each week, along with the #ThorsDaySmile and #GrannySays posts. So 2 to 3 posts a week, 1 of which will be prescheduled. It’s doable, if I cut back on those nature talks. (It takes me at minimum a full week to put one together in PowerPoint, sometimes longer if the info I want is harder to find or verify.) Two weeks a month? Eeek. One talk a month may have to do.
The coax runs behind some huge bookshelves that don’t have much clearance between them and the walls, so it’s very hard to get it laying in a manner that doesn’t have a kink hidden somewhere. We’ve bought some new that is less likely to kink, and we have a plan for how to get it from the wall outlet to where it needs to go and secure it so it won’t shift. We’ll see how it works. If all else fails, we will have Spectrum come out and run new cable into the house and all the way to the modem. Then if it fails, THEY have to fix it. *evil laugh here*
Thanks for stopping by, and hopefully, I’ll soon be digging myself out from under the mess I’ve made and be able to at least visit a few more blogs again. ❤️ 😀
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You may be stubborn, but you are smart. 😉 Doing a little of the things you love most is better than giving up everything entirely. Just make sure you are always putting your well-being above all else. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Yvette. I think that’s excellent advice and exactly what I’m going to try to do. I’d like to be around long enough to write a few more books and/or novellas, so I’m going to take better care of myself, for sure! Thanks so much for stopping by today, Yvette! 😊❤️
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You need to do whatever keeps you healthy and happy. {{hugs}}
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I think you are exactly right, Jacquie, and that’s just what I’m aiming to do. Thank you so much for the support and the hugs! And here’s some right back atcha! 🤗🤗🤗
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I think we have all had to cut back somewhat as we move up the age ladder. It doesn’t mean we have to stop. Oh no, that won’t happen. I’ve decided I’d rather do fewer things and do the things I do, well. If that makes sense. I do one or two blog posts a week and that’s enough for me. We have books to write, damn it!
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Amen, my friend! Books to write and people to meet and families to enjoy and maybe even some wild and carefree FUN now and then. (Not necessarily in that order!) And yes, your comment made perfect sense to me. Glad you are already taking care of yourself, and setting a good example for others (like me.) Thanks so much for stopping by, Darlene! 😀 ❤️
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Keeping yourself healthy comes first, Marcia! It’s easy to run ourselves down. Take care! xo
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I just couldn’t believe that things I was doing easily a few months ago were wearing me out! And stressing me out, too! But I’m a believer now, and am going to do all I can to manage my time carefully and well. I’m not ready to quit yet, so I’ll pace myself going forward, for sure. Thanks so much for stopping by today! 😀 ❤️
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I completely understand. I’ve been telling my mom she needs to slow down some and stop pushing herself, too. Glad you have a plan on place. They always help 🙂
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I agree, Jeanne. Having a plan is always helpful to me, and I already feel much less stressed because I’m setting one up, I already know I don’t have to keep juggling quite so many irons in the fire, and life is going to be easier. Thanks so much for stopping by and offering encouragement. Big Hugs to you!
🤗❤️
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I haven’t actually had a WIP since 2019, though I have never stopped writing tiny tales – from dark flash fiction on my blog to Lego stories for the grandsons! Been busy gardening but certainly not the busy schedule you have Marcia.
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I’m glad you aren’t trying to juggle too much stuff, Janet, and guess what? I’M not going to be doing so in the days and weeks ahead, either. I’ve already started cutting back and thinking of clever ways to do the things I intend to continue doing in an easier, less time-consuming way. This is going to be a big change for me, but well worth it in the long run. Thanks so much for stopping by today with some encouraging words! 😊❤️
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Taking care of yourself is the number one thing to do. Maybe doing everything is something you can learn to live without.
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I’m already on the road to that, John. Or at least doing a lot LESS of everything. I’m picking and choosing where I want to spend my time, and by golly, I will trim down the excess enough to make a difference in my physical health and lower my stress levels, too. Thanks so much for stopping by to offer encouragement. This is why I will NOT give up blogging for anything. Slow down, cut back, trim a bit here and there, and find easier ways to do it, yes. STOP doing it, no thank you. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and here are some big Florida HUGS for you, too! 🤗🤗🤗
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😊
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You are a star whether you post every day or once a week or even once a month, dear Marcia. Don’t fret about it at all. I’ve had to slow down recently for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we just need to listen to the whispers of life and let the rest go. 🤗💗🤗
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Thank you so much for such kind words, Gwen. There are some things I do NOT want to let completely go of yet, but there’s no reason to try to keep up with a schedule that’s wearing me out. I’ll play it smart, let go of the things I can do without and cut back a bit on the things I want to continue. I’ll find the perfect balance before long, because I’m committed to making this Plan work.
Sending you encouragement as you change direction or focus in your life, too. Keep on listening to those whispers and make it about taking care of yourself, too, my friend! Hugs back atcha!
🤗❤️🤗
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Hi Marcia, I can completely understand all of this. I am in the same situation – I have backed down from some committments recently. I am setting aside 2 hours each day to have some resting time – I can listen to a book or take a nap – whatever feels right each day. I am enjoying this time and my body lete me know when it is the time for me to rest. I have more energy and am more refreshed by doing this. Setting a plan really helps so much. I am moving closer to eighty as well – still doing a tremendous amount of gardening, and caring for a large home. I hired a man to do the yard work and a housekeeper for one day a week – that is a tremendous help. I am enjoying my days so much more with this little extra help. I wish you the very best of everything and I always love my visits to your blog.
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Aw, thanks so much for your nice comments, Lynda, and I’m SO glad you are listening to your body and taking the steps to stay healthy and happy! I go to bed at 8:00pm every night, with my Kindle in hand, and that’s when I get my reading in. No way can I EVER go without reading. But the other stuff was really getting to be too much, and my energy level has never come back to what it was before COVID. So that added to the constant falling farther and farther behind. The truth is, we have to accept that we have limits and that they may change with aging. And that’s OKAY. We just have to adapt to a lighter schedule and do whatever it takes to stay healthy and well. SO glad you are doing those things! And thanks so much for the encouraging words, too! Lovely to have you visit when you can! 🤗❤️🤗
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I’m really delighted about your plan! You’ve had several severe health issues – that fall on the hard kitchen floor for one and Covid for another – that would have left anyone, no matter what the age, struggling to cope. It does make sense to focus on the things that absolutely have to be done plus the things that make you happiest. I’m also totally selfishly wanting you to have the time and freedom to release Rabbit’s magic again… ❤ 🙂 ❤
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I know you’ve been after me for some time to slow down, and you know what? YOU WERE right! Slowing down at least a bit is going to make everything easier and more fun! And yes, I admit the concussion from my fall and two bouts of breakthrough COVID have definitely left me a bit the worse for wear. So all the more reason to listen to my body, and stop trying to do quite so many things at a go.
When I’m done working out my Plan (which will include a LOT more writing time than I’ve had lately), things are going to go a lot better. I’ll be more relaxed and happy, and not so frustrated and stressed. And I am definitely planning to spend some time “releasing Rabbit’s magic again,” for sure! I’ve missed that little boy and his steadfast determination to do what’s right to help others! Can’t wait to get back to that! Thanks so much for your steadfast support and encouragement, Trish! And thanks for taking the time to comment here tonight, too. Sending you loads of love and great big hugs, too! 🤗💖🤗
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❤ ❤ ❤
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Plans are always good, and they sure help keep me on track – when I stick to them, lol. Taking care of yourself is your first priority, my friend. I’ll show up for however many posts you’d like to do. And you know I’ll be one of the first in line with your new Rabbit spinoff!
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Thank you so much for those kind, supportive words, Teri! I really appreciate your encouragement, and I hope I’ll be back on track with Rabbit’s new novella pretty shortly. (Like maybe even later today!) I can’t wait to be WRITING again!
Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know your thoughts! 😀 ❤
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Take good care of you, Marcia! ❤ xoxoxo
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I’m working on it, Bette! Less pressure and an easier schedule will go a long way towards making my life more enjoyable again! Thanks for stopping by! 😀 ❤
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It’s not an age-thing, Marcia. It’s just impossible to keep adding to our lists and think we can get it all done. I’m glad to hear you’ll be picking and choosing the projects nearest and dearest to your heart. Don’t sweat the rest.
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Well, for sure it isn’t JUST an age thing, though I do think that’s part of it. But the concussion and the COVID-brain things have exacerbated my problems far more than any age-related slowdown. And your point is well made. I’ve been adding new things and more new things, because … FUN. But all of a sudden, fun morphed into overwhelming, so it’s time to do just what you say. Pick and choose the projects, and yep–near and dear to my heart sounds like good criteria to use when doing so.
Thanks so much for such good advice and for stopping by today to share your thoughts. Rest assured, I’m on it! Here’s to more smiles and less frustration ahead!! 😀 ❤
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This is some wise advice I could also listen to! Then we can put our focus where it really needs to be.
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You are so right, Denise! Cutting back a bit here and there will allow us to spend more time on the things that are truly important to us, and that we enjoy the most. I think my plan is working already, honestly. (Fingers crossed.) I feel the pressure easing almost hourly! 😀 ❤
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Health comes first – physically, mentally, emotionally. That’s the most important thing. No need to feel badly about that at all.
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Thanks for the support, Sue. I’m feeling less stressed already! 😀 ❤
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