tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post4834501743484504281..comments2023-10-30T09:14:27.703-07:00Comments on Mothering Nature: my not-so-crappy listJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452150467051762515noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-44201874028519472922008-08-21T18:22:00.000-07:002008-08-21T18:22:00.000-07:00We would all benefit in making a "not-so-crappy" l...We would all benefit in making a "not-so-crappy" list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-54032316424413969282008-08-21T07:59:00.000-07:002008-08-21T07:59:00.000-07:00You rock; I am amazed at all you do for yourself. ...You rock; I am amazed at all you do for yourself. I agree; it is such a satisfying feeling to know that you are doing what is needed to provide for your family. Those are the times when you feel like The Greatest Mom in the World!<BR/><BR/>And ditto about lists...is there ANYTHING more satisying that crossing something off...?<BR/><BR/>You are doing great. We are so proud of you!<BR/><BR/>--KatyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-33323861178973854662008-08-21T06:15:00.000-07:002008-08-21T06:15:00.000-07:00Jackie:I love your writing style and have been so ...Jackie:<BR/><BR/>I love your writing style and have been so caught up in reading your story these past few weeks. I have to say I really liked this post and read it several times. It is magical to find the snippets of beauty in the tiny moments of our lives. This is after all what life is all about.....each moment.....such treasures. It's amazing how you have captured these treasured moments digitally. You are a very creative photographer and an amazing woman. Your children are so beautiful. Liv looks so much like her Daddy with her beautiful expressive eyes, and Briar is such a handsome little boy. Such fun ages they are for sure! Keep enjoying the moments that you can and hold them close. They grow up way too fast! Hang in there Jackie, you are doing a GREAT job. I'd say you are doing the job of at least five people with all your parenting, wood chopping, gardening, hula hooping, animal care, and all the things that come along with that.<BR/><BR/>We are off to pick little balls of deliciousness on Saturday. My daughter's 18th birthday is Monday and she chose to have a party/picnic with friends and family at the orchard and pick raspberries. Funny how childhood memories stick with you and then you want to share those experiences with your teenage friends. I'll be thinking of you while picking raspberries on Saturday. When my girls were your children's ages we used to take the big wagon with us picking. That way we could drag snacks and drinks around with us. Ahhhhh.....the memories of when the girls were little, such special times : )<BR/><BR/>Hugs,<BR/><BR/>Matt's sorta cousin BarbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-69103552924028472962008-08-21T01:09:00.000-07:002008-08-21T01:09:00.000-07:00Oops, I meant: "'rediscovering' the *JOY* in those...Oops, I meant: "'rediscovering' the *JOY* in those interests again.<BR/> Not *job*.<BR/><BR/>Sheesh....<BR/><BR/>[Note to self: Learn to proofread before clicking "Publish comment," Candice....] [Rolling my eyes at myself]Candicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11637366044613952294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-29825915800676239512008-08-21T01:03:00.000-07:002008-08-21T01:03:00.000-07:00Gosh--hula hoops?!? No wonder you lost 40 pounds! ...Gosh--hula hoops?!? No wonder you lost 40 pounds! ;) (Just teasing, btw.)<BR/><BR/>Good for you for having a not-so-unhappy list, and for posting it on your blog too. I hope it was intending partly to thumb your nose at whoever it was who said you were too negative.<BR/><BR/>Speaking as a widow 3 years out, it's really good to have the written record of the good AND the bad things in early grief. I remember writing in my journal about one GOOD day I had, about 4 months or so after Charley died. Most of my written record that early on was only about the pain, about my absolute shock and endless attempts to make sense of something, so it was nice to have a tangible reminder that there <I>were</I> some good moments too.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad to hear you're retaining some of your prior interests and feeling pride and accomplishment in your tasks. I think I did a better job in the first year of holding onto things like that than I did in year 2 or 3, and I certainly suffered for their absence and am doing much better now that I've "rediscovered" the job in those interests again.<BR/><BR/>Hang in there, Jackie...minute by minute, blackberry by blackberry, egg by egg....<BR/><BR/>Hugs,<BR/>CandiceCandicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11637366044613952294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-88719979011917601582008-08-20T19:09:00.000-07:002008-08-20T19:09:00.000-07:00Just wanted to say that you make me laugh, smile, ...Just wanted to say that you make me laugh, smile, sometime tear up a bit, and you make me stronger. Thank you for sharing your life with us, your journey... the good and the bad... I'll always be thinking of you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-45501484712300642512008-08-20T15:55:00.000-07:002008-08-20T15:55:00.000-07:00Once my family moves from this over-indulgent larg...Once my family moves from this over-indulgent large house in the 'burbs, we're moving onto our 9.5 acres & plan to homestead a bit. I'm going to come back to you & ask you chicken questions, so learn all that you can now...for me! ;)<BR/><BR/>We're going to have goats too - what do you think about them? Ever tried to raise any?<BR/><BR/>Your hoola hoop, my pogo stick. Together we'd rock. Or just look really funny together. :DMarissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08311001472937020789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-58305176586329677292008-08-20T14:14:00.000-07:002008-08-20T14:14:00.000-07:00pleased to see a list of the pleasantries, but i c...pleased to see a list of the pleasantries, but i certainly think it is ok to list, discuss, bemoan, or even flat-out-whine about the unpleasantries you wade through. either way you're addressing what is in front of you, figuring it out and moving through it. <BR/><BR/>although i will say that i bet it is really, really hard to complain and hula hoop at the same time. (never tried it because i suck at hula hooping, but i just bet...)<BR/><BR/>your family is in the thoughts of many - and we are all rooting for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-56617987362930354102008-08-20T13:50:00.000-07:002008-08-20T13:50:00.000-07:00I just want you to know that your list made me hap...I just want you to know that your list made me happy today and take stock of what I hold dear and what makes me happy. Your children look vibrant and to me that shows that your doing a fine job. I learned I like to mow-- along the lines of the chopping firewood. Maybe you can ask a friend with a house almost the same size as yours how much they go through and get a good guess. Or maybe the delivery guy has records of how much your husband ordered in the past.<BR/>Before I get back to work, just know that your strength and ability to keep on keeping on inspires me to push myself a little harder.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-75040035225242654222008-08-20T13:21:00.000-07:002008-08-20T13:21:00.000-07:00Another Matt Creeper here... your list is great an...Another Matt Creeper here... your list is great and I think you're doing an amazingly bang-up job getting through each new day you face!<BR/><BR/>I love your hula-hoop story. My family just got the Wii Fit and we crack each other up doing our "virtual" hula-hooping exercises on there. It's hysterical to watch someone who isn't wearing a hula hoop go through the motions lest they drop it from their hips and fail the game!!<BR/>Cheers to you & the kids -- Have a great day.<BR/>LoriAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-90908923803494357502008-08-20T13:02:00.000-07:002008-08-20T13:02:00.000-07:00Clarissa Pinkola Estes says in "Women Who Run With...Clarissa Pinkola Estes says in "Women Who Run With The Wolves": 'A collective is often thought of as a culture that surrounds an individual.<BR/>Our challenge on behalf of the wild soul and our creative spirit is to NOT merge with any collective, but to distinguish ourselves from those who surround us, building bridges back to them as we choose.<BR/>We decide which bridges will become strong and well travelled, and which will remain sketchy and empty, and the collectives we favor with relationship will be those that offer the most support for our soul and creative life.'<BR/><BR/>Jackie, I met you just before Jeff died. My bridge to your Blog has been traveled often, ever since.<BR/>xo, Tanistanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06007263909446869398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-50829354178494809122008-08-20T12:28:00.000-07:002008-08-20T12:28:00.000-07:00Your photos are just great. You seem to find beau...Your photos are just great. You seem to find beauty in the simplest of things. I love the chick pics!<BR/><BR/>Now, as for Hula Hooping...I'd hurt myself! I haven't hula hooped in years!Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01875610569065358042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-49340074349531783552008-08-20T12:09:00.000-07:002008-08-20T12:09:00.000-07:00Sending you oodles of love! :-)Your children are b...Sending you oodles of love! :-)<BR/><BR/>Your children are beautiful. You are beautiful, amazing, inspiring, talented... You're an awesome Mama, even if you have days where you may think you are not! You do so, so much! It's okay to have ups and downs. I wish everyone in your life would see that!<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>CadiCadihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14517775140048055244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-50074369774335239522008-08-20T11:44:00.000-07:002008-08-20T11:44:00.000-07:00Liv's smiles is so beautiful and happy and so much...Liv's smiles is so beautiful and happy and so much like Jeff's in all the pictures you have shared of him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-65347199834406858392008-08-20T11:30:00.000-07:002008-08-20T11:30:00.000-07:00Go, Jackie, go! I love picturing you hula hoopin'...Go, Jackie, go! I love picturing you hula hoopin' and giggling with your little ones with the chickens running around every which way! :)<BR/>☮♥♪TheSingingBirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09497187225440471996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-74418757370161311132008-08-20T10:37:00.000-07:002008-08-20T10:37:00.000-07:00I love your list. Sometimes we all need to step ba...I love your list. Sometimes we all need to step back and see how blessed we are.Elfie33https://www.blogger.com/profile/15385986799069816190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-66824053919269749352008-08-20T09:14:00.000-07:002008-08-20T09:14:00.000-07:00What great photos. So glad that taking pics is hel...What great photos. So glad that taking pics is helping you out. Plus you have such great subjects to photograph.<BR/><BR/>Your hula hooping seizure story cracked me up. I have never been able to hula - one of the least coordinated people i know. My luck I would end up breaking something. <BR/><BR/>(((hugs)))Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08573514445943903352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-18524950088354636502008-08-20T07:56:00.000-07:002008-08-20T07:56:00.000-07:00This is a great post. I've been reading your blog...This is a great post. I've been reading your blog for a little while now (linked to it from Matt's page). I have never thought of you as too depressing. I'd like those who complained to you that you were too down to try to live in your shoes for just one day. To all of them just say "screw em"! They don't know you and haven't experienced what you are going thru. You are doing as well as can be expected and I think you are a great inspiration to a lot of people out there dealing w/ different forms of grief. Hang in there!<BR/>KellieKelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00695653603769427299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-53819628522919985412008-08-20T07:44:00.000-07:002008-08-20T07:44:00.000-07:00I'm smiling thinking about you hula hooping - beca...I'm smiling thinking about you hula hooping - because while I loved it as a child - I would be quite the site doing it now! I'm glad you are finding the positives in your day - We all need to do that more - but when you are having trouble finding those - know that there are many many many of us who are thinking of you and will lift you up any way that we can! Take Care of you and those sweet sweet little ones! <BR/>xoxo - Darcie in the MNdarciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03611334115957929814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-75798025721946339532008-08-20T07:39:00.000-07:002008-08-20T07:39:00.000-07:00Hell yah crossing stuff off of a list! I'm with y...Hell yah crossing stuff off of a list! I'm with ya there. <BR/><BR/>You are one amazing woman. I don't know many who could do as much as you do .. chop wood, hula hoop, garden, craft, find beauty in so many things, and be so honest with your feelings and emotions for anyone to read. I don't know how people can accuse you of being too negative ... I think you're being pretty fucking incredible about it all. <BR/><BR/>Rock on and namaste.Eiliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18409571136028802784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-78316555651701137862008-08-20T07:17:00.000-07:002008-08-20T07:17:00.000-07:00That's a huge list of happy things, Jackie. Great ...That's a huge list of happy things, Jackie. Great job of taking stock. I wish I could have lingered and taken all your words in but Sammy sits beside me and insists that I scroll back up to see 'Wia' and her shining face as soon as I try to read down.<BR/><BR/>He loves him some Wia.<BR/><BR/>;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-51375156818271932932008-08-20T07:00:00.000-07:002008-08-20T07:00:00.000-07:00The fact that you find snippets of joy so early on...The fact that you find snippets of joy so early on in this mourning process is huge. <BR/><BR/>Please just keep doing what you're doing Jackie, there are no 'rules' and nobody that's worthy of your respect would consider dictating what/how you should be dealing with this loss.<BR/><BR/>Every time one of these negative souls trys to project their unhappiness on you...you're mantra should be, f-u-c-k y-o-u. <BR/><BR/>Huge hugs, sweetie!<BR/><BR/>Laurie<BR/><BR/>PS...you've had such a positive influence on me and my battle with breast cancer. Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-70402292280581020312008-08-20T06:59:00.000-07:002008-08-20T06:59:00.000-07:00HOLA Jackie!It was NICE to read that you are havin...HOLA Jackie!<BR/>It was NICE to read that you are having some GOOD DAYS!..Keep on keep on!<BR/>You and your kids deserve the BEST!<BR/>Take care<BR/>SolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-10339921696097689442008-08-20T06:41:00.000-07:002008-08-20T06:41:00.000-07:00ok, call me stupid (its ok) but I totally thought ...ok, call me stupid (its ok) but I totally thought those mailboxes were chicken cages before I scrolled down!! I guess I am just a city girl!IamDerbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12105424483708789633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27694675.post-33160482210538816192008-08-20T06:38:00.000-07:002008-08-20T06:38:00.000-07:00I find lists very comforting. I always thought th...I find lists very comforting. I always thought that wa sa touch of OCD, but who knows? Seeing those chickens makes me think of my childhood. We always had chickens and it was my job to feed them. I would complain, but now I sort of miss it. I really enjoy your photos and I'm glad you are feeling better.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17149755334990646369noreply@blogger.com