Re: Tracie...from S./Christian content

[Guest guest]

Tracie, I am not a homebody by choice. Far from it. I have gone through a lot of grieving over my lack of social contact. I haven't driven for over 7 years. I don't trust my reaction time and, add to that, my dizziness and fatigue,... it's not the wisest idea for me to drive. I have kept up my license for emergencies. Overwhelming fatigue can come over me like a flood. For the last month I haven't felt very well and am just getting over a case of pleurisy. The cold makes me ache and I avoid it. I have been working on painting landscapes. On canvas. But I haven't painted for three weeks cuz of chest pain. It hurt too much to move even that much. But it's on the mend. In January I painted 135 tumbled river rocks with colorful words and flowers for a retreat at my church (...that I seldom get to). Each rock

had a different uplifting word on it. I have received reports of ladies receiving just the word they needed from God. This all happened a few days after praying that I could be used by God somehow....even in the 'state' I'm in. A couple days later a couple of ladies from church called and came over to ask me if I would do a project for the upcoming retreat in march. I knew it was an answer from God. I had the needed strength and vision from God to 'just' complete them and then the added strength left me. If you ever get to that point...well, Tracie, I know you'll somehow cope. Human beings are very resiliant as long as we don't give up hope. I get out alot more in the warmer weather and make the most of it...as I can anyway. Always pacing myself. Since getting so sick (going on 9 years) I have taken up painting, continue to read alot... as I can, have taken up scrapbooking in 2006 and have filled 4

large scrapbooks with pictures and momentos of outings(2005 and 2006). I am even working backwards...now I'm on 2004. I watch alot of movies and have my favs of tv. I just watched a trio of Foreign movies called (in English) Blue, White and Red by Krzysztof Kieslowski. It's a trilogy and very very good. The last movie Red was about the need for passion and human connection. I also watch over many plants. And when it's warmer I plant alot of outdoor plants with a lot of help. When I'm up to getting out, it's my family and then church and then other things...and it happens in that order. I have another sarc friend who took up jewelry making and has made hundreds of dollars with her new 'hobby'. I sell a few paintings every year. I am a slow slow painter and a learner so I am kinda a perfectionist. I am surprised very time someone wants one. lol Sorry

this was so long. A verbal volcanoe! hugs and keep smiling S.tiodaat@... wrote: Thanks for the virtual hug and the virtual Dove bar! , I don't know how anyone can be at home and only get out 3 times since Jan 1. That is one of the things that scares me-- I'm not a "homebody".I love my home, and it is nice-- but I need the stimulation. So what is it

that you paint? I've gotten some beads and such, and should be starting on some jewelry-- we'll see-- threading a needle, and having the dexterity in the fingers will be interesting.As we all say, one day at a time.Hugs,Tracie**************************************AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

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[Guest guest]

,

I read your post and wanted to pop in. I too, am a social person, who

is very much grieving the loss of the world I used to have. I have had

to do a lot of crying, yelling, cussing, apologizing and praying to

finally get to the point I am at now; at peace with God.

He is such an integral part of my life and if I still had my old life, I

would not have the personal relationship with Jesus Christ that I have

now. I was lucky enough to get involved with Bible Study Foundation and

go to a Bible study once a week. It breaks in the summer and I have to

find some material to study to last me until it starts again in

September.

Like you, I also have an arsty side. I used to do traditional stained

glass ( sun catchers, panels, flat panel lamps, etc) but am really

getting into mosaics now because they are a lot more forgiving

especially with the double vision, fatigue etc. It is something I can

put down, go to sleep and come back to. Interestingly enough, even

though I have cognitive issues, I have not had any problem with my

creativity. I wonder if it has been like this for anyone else.

Well so much for all of that. I just felt like I wanted to pop in.

Terri G.

Thanks for the virtual hug and the virtual Dove

bar!

> , I don't know how anyone can be at home and only get out 3 times

since Jan 1. That is one of the things that scares me-- I'm not a

" homebody " .

> I love my home, and it is nice-- but I need the stimulation.

> So what is it that you paint? I've gotten some beads and such, and

should be starting on some jewelry-- we'll see-- threading a needle, and

having the dexterity in the fingers will be interesting.

> As we all say, one day at a time.

>

> Hugs,

> Tracie

>

>

> **************************************

> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free

from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Finding fabulous fares is fun.

> Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight

and hotel bargains.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you , for sharing with all of us the ways you've found to cope. You know, this is the first time in all the years we've known each other online-- that you've shared this!

I'll have to check the local video store and see if I can find the Blue, White and Red movies. sounds like good viewing.

Take care, and if you can--post a picture of your pictures! (My son's scanner has bit the dust, along with my printer with the last snowstorm- so it'll be a long while before i get anything posted.)

Love ya,

Tracie************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.