I'm fine, don't worry
Yesterday I had another exam, and last night I worked through a whole bunch of lab homework. SO MANY VIDEOS TO WATCH.
And then when I was sitting up writing a blog post, man, I just could not keep my eyes open any more.
I decided to table it for another day because no one is going to die if there's not a Wednesday blog post from me one week.
I didn't want to not put anything up here, though, because then I knew some of you would worry!
So this is just a small post to say I'm not writing a blog post today. 😉
I promise I'll be back tomorrow, though!
We expect days like this with your schedule. We love you!
Rest well!
I hope today is less exhausting than yesterday was.
I was tired yesterday, too much going on the past ten days or so. My afternoon was much less productive than I had planned. Life happens.
A suggestion: you could have one or two days a week be a reader-led blog post to take the pressure off of you. For example, you could do "what's up Wednesdays" where you just post saying something like "I'm up to my ears in class notes. What's new with you?" And then if anyone has something going on and they want advice from other readers, they can just comment. Then you don't really need to plan anything.
@Becca, I like your idea. And, Kristen, you do whatever you need to concentrate on your studies. I think every single commenter on this blog will support you in that.
@Becca, I love this idea and it could take pressure of Kristen when she's really busy with school
@Becca,
I like that, too. I think we might still need a cat photo or two on those days, though.
@Becca, and there's always AI! 🙂
@Becca, agreed! Kristen, none of us will disappear if you post less during this busy time ☺️
@Becca, I think that's a really neat idea. We could ask questions, share whatever we wanted to share, support each other - and Kristen. Count me in.
@Becca, What a lovely and creative idea. Count me in.
@Becca, I echo what everybody else has said, we love your idea. I think everyone would agree with me if I say that we love Kristen's blog, and we also love to read all the comments and see what others have to say.
Hope you got your rest that your body was telling you needed!
I think you can just repeat this title in the future! We are all cheering for you and we vote for maximum sleep for a full-time student!
PS I planted a purple hyacinth bean vine because you had always mentioned it. Wow! It is the most amazing plant. My hummingbirds adore it. And the color! Even in that heat wave, there was not a droopy flower. I am saving the seeds!
A girl gotta do what a girl gotta do!
Gee, if only I could get this kind of transparency and customer service everywhere! 😉
Thank you for the mini check-in post today!
Your readers think you are terrific and know you are buried in studying to become a nurse. We are cheering you on, and don't expect you to keep up the steady stream of information and great communication that we got used to during your gap semester.
Kristen, I don't expect you to post every day. In fact, there are some features - like Frugal Things - that have so many comments that it would be nice to have them spread over two days.
Any post with Chiquita in it is fine with me! She's so cute, nothing else needs to be said.
Sending you virtual hugs! I am cheering for you from Wisconsin!
As long as there are pictures of Chiquita, it's fine.
You have come to the right place for an understanding, supportive crowd. In fact, you created the place ha!!
Always do only what feels possible given a hectic schedule of education. We will be here cheering you on and helping however we can. After all, many of us dream of encountering a nurse just like you, should the occasion arise.
Super good wishes. Your community loves you.
Hi Kristen,
Like everyone else, I am thrilled that you are able to throw yourself full steam ito your dream of nursing school.
Post when you want to!
One quickie idea- on too-bust days, repost one of your recipe posts. Update with any little changes you now do, if any. The recipes are delicious and I sometimes forget about a particular one.
Good for you for allowing yourself some grace 🙂
Well, the people here are the best. Go, Kristen. Good job, community. You made me teary.
Question for the hive mind:
My mother, who's dying and was told by the oncologist again today that no, chemo isn't going to cure you and may actually shorten your life, asked me why I didn't want to see her sister, her only sibling.
I didn't know about the oncologist appt, or I might have softened it a bit, but I gave it to her with both barrels. That my aunt had repulsive political and social views, but more importantly, she was never there for my mother. She didn't come to my brother's funeral, nor did she come to my father's funeral, and though I didn't say it, I very very much doubt she'll come to my mother's funeral. That I can't stand her because she's fake and annoying and Dad (who couldn't stand her) had the right idea about her.
I guess after 58 years my mother is used to me, but I don't know, should I have softened it a little? As I've said before, I'm autistic. If people ask my opinion, I give it. Should I have said, "Well, we just don't see eye to eye" or some mealy mouthed junk like that? Also, my mother quite frequently fights with her, or did. I don't know.
I suppose it helps to add that we live in New York and she moved to California about 1978 or so.
@Rose,
I'm wondering if she is just wishing for the people who are most important in her life (fake or no, it's hard to deny a connection to a sibling) to be connected to each other. You could try telling her exactly how you feel about your aunt, but then follow up with something like "but I will make an effort to connect to her if it's important to you." Then either make the effort or don't. That's probably not as important as telling your mother what she wants to hear which is likely something like "I'll try." Or...she may feel exactly the same way about her sister but feels guilty about it, in which case, you letting loose might give her the permission to not connect with her. My suggestion is to just ask her what she wants.
@Becca, You know, that advice really is profound. This is now the third time someone has told me that, and every time, it's made a huge impact on me. First time was when I had a life coach (who I still miss) when my son was sent to jail. I panicked about the weird visiting hours and should I see him twice a week if that's allowed and is that even enough blah blah y blah....and my life coach said, "Why not ask him what he wants?" My son said once a week and I felt like I escaped an avalanche. I visited once a week and we were both happy.
You might be very surprised by her answer, too. ❤️
@Becca, Though---seriously?---who doesn't attend the funeral of your only sibling's child? Or husband of 53 years*? Someone extremely selfish.
*At my aunt's fourth wedding, my dad said, "How about one for the thumb, Susan!" which refers to Super Bowl rings and wedding bands and it was pretty out of order of Dad, but then, he'd suffered numerous times before, as in her second wedding, where Susan and Groom sang "The Wedding Song," and poor Dad had to spend the entire song reaching a matchbook lest he burst out laughing.
But still. Be there for your only sibling, not her wiseacre husband.
@Rose,
Funerals for children are very, very hard. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that someone who felt they couldn't handle a child's funeral would later feel too many emotions to attend the same child's father's funeral. Comprehensible even while also reprehensible. Perhaps those were choices your aunt wishes she could change.
@Becca, Yes, it was a nightmare. But I don't care, if it's your only sister's child, you act like a grownup and show up. I very much doubt Susan cares that she blew it off. So did my grandparents, while we're at it.
@Rose,
I'm sorry, Rose. That must have been very hard for you and your parents to not feel like there was family support.
I think we'll survive. Mwah!
Kristen, some of us (ahem, that would be me) have gotten spoiled over the years with daily cheerful, interesting, useful, and gracious blog entries. I don't know of any other blogger who offers all that on a daily basis. Thank you!!! But now that it's time for a change, no worries - some of us (ahem, me) will probably survive without resorting to drink. I'm thinking a bit of chocolate daily might help though...
And an extra cup of tea. 😉