March 3, 2014

March - A Look Ahead




It’s finally March! And onward we go into the year. Winter weather isn’t completely behind us (snow flurries predicted within the next 24 hours), but there are signs of spring. I thought we would have our first daffodil bloom today. But it is taking its sweet time and might open tomorrow. I can’t wait to cut some and fill a few vases around the cottage!

My tears have dried and I’m mentally moving forward about the setback with my vision. It's time to put on the big girl panties and simply deal with it. I will adapt to the murky mess of what I now “see.” (As if I really have a choice, LOL.) I’ve have floaters before, but it has been taken to a whole new level now. Thank you for your prayers and good wishes. We’ve decided to postpone any final decision about the upcoming Moab trip until after I visit the eye doctor again in about 2 weeks. So perhaps we’ll be traveling this month, perhaps not. Time will tell.

My elderly mother’s situation is rapidly coming to a turning point. Preparations are underway for her to go on Medicaid and move into a long-term care facility. Please pray that it all works out for the best for her and my family. She continues to improve, but she is simply too frail to return home.

February seemed to pass as quickly as January to me, thanks to all of the video training that I have completed. I will wrap up a monthly subscription with lynda.com (see advertising link on my sidebar) by the end of this week. I have an annual subscription to Kelby One, so I’ll continue with video studies with them as time permits. I have learned more photography and post-processing techniques and also learned quite a bit about iPhone operation too. The immersion in all of the coursework also made me take stock in how much I already know. Now, if I can just translate all of that knowledge into tangible results! 

I still haven’t learned how to use Adobe’s Lightroom program or practiced using my new Wacom tablet (for Photoshop work instead of a standard computer mouse). Yes, I admit that I can procrastinate to venture down new pathways because of fear of failure. As fearless as I am about throwing myself into many technical aspects of photography, there are still some areas that make me hesitate. 

We’ve got a few doctor appointments lined up this month. There will be follow-ups for Mr. Jim, along with a mammogram and eye exam for me. I had a colonoscopy last week and got a good report. So I won’t have to face that again for another 10 years, thank goodness.

The latest photo challenge is rapidly approaching. This time we have a pretty easy theme (Words and Letters) that should spark some creativity. It’s hard to believe that this will be the 13th challenge. There has been steady participation since the onset, and I continue to get positive feedback for the various information links and the opportunity to learn. But I don’t forget for one minute that it is successful because the participants make it so!

I have slowed down lately in post-processing of my travel images. But rest assured, my blog will feature some interesting photos this month, and you will enjoy some armchair touring. If we go on our planned Utah journey later on this month, you can expect my posting frequency to be greatly reduced. Of course, you still expect to see a specially featured “photo of the week” on each Wednesday, regardless of my travel status.

May you see signs of spring this month and enjoy the magic of witnessing nature being roused from its winter slumber!

16 comments:

  1. I'm still praying for you, dear friend! And looking forward to more of your photos and adventures. I need to get busy with some coursework in photography again. That would be a good diversion for me right now. You always inspire me to reach higher and learn more. Now, if I could just buy that new camera I'm wishing for!
    ~Adrienne~

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  2. still sending good thoughts for you. i hope march will bring better things. :)

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  3. You are stoic. Praying that your eyesight will improve and be preserved. Perhaps the doc will have something solid for you to plan by in a couple of weeks. Nothing like having to fly by the seat of your pants. Praying the very best for your mother as well. Aging parents are of utmost concern...

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  4. Losing eyesight for a photographer is a tragedy. I am a visual person too, and would gladly trade my hearing for better sight. God bless you and keep you. It is good that you are still learning your photography trade, We should never give up on learning new things.
    Prayers are coming your way for your dear mother as well.

    Best,

    charlotte

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  5. Bless your heart. I am so sorry about your eye problems. You are in my prayers. I had my yearly physical --and everything came out normal except Vit. D... Have started a supplement for that since it wasn't too low. My mammogram came out great --and it's not time for a colonoscopy.

    I've had a little problem lately with low blood sugar at times --but my glucose and A1c came back normal... SO??? Guess I'm fine!!! ha

    We had a great time in Arkansas with friends --and we'll be off soon again to celebrate my Sweetie's birthday.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  6. At the rate we're going we're not going to see signs of Spring around here until June! We still have a foot of snow on the ground with piles all over 4 feet high or more! Plus continued cold and more snow later this week! Gah! I'm ready to move!!!

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  7. I some how missed your post about your vision. I am so very sorry, how cruel life can be, to rob you of your gift, prayers are most definitely on my schedule, for both of you. I hope things settle and your vision is restored to a point where you can still do the photography you so love to do, and we so love to see. And your MOM, well what can I say, hopefully she'll settle into her new home without difficulty and things will be better for all. You know all my best wishes are sent your way. Try to be positive, things will work out.

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  8. You have a busy month ahead of you, Donna. I hope you will still be able to visit the Moab and pray your vision will be clear in time. I have to get at the next photo challenge and see what I can do. I don't feel capable enough to edit a photo so we'll see. It is, after all, a 'challenge'! Blessings, Pam

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  9. I must have missed a few posts, so sorry to hear about your vision. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you a March filled with nothing but good things

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  10. How things change from moment to moment! I will continue to pray for your vision, for clear thinking as you make decisions, and for your mother's living situation. {{hugs}}

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  11. Hi Donna. Just catching up and want you to know I'm praying for your eyesight to return to normal. What a scary/frustrating thing. I am also praying that your mom's situation works out for the best. I'm going through the same thing with an elderly relative right now (I'm her closest relative) and the nursing home/rehab center says they'd like to release her Friday. I'm just not sure she is ready to go back to her home quite yet. On a lighter note, I loved your little raccoon visitor. What a darling :) Anxiously waiting for spring to arrive here in the Northeast. You're way ahead of us as the daffodils would have to push through over a foot of snow still on the ground to be seen! Enjoy your spring!... Donna

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  12. I keep you and your husband in my prayers. These first couple of months have been hard and challenging to me, too and I hope March is better for us all. I sure hope you get to go on a big trip this month. That would be awesome! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  13. Hi Donna, With being gone for so long I am now just catching up. I am so sorry to hear about your eye. How and why did it happen? Can it be fixed? You and Mr. Jim have gone through some tough times and I will continue to keep you in my prayers. I hope you get to go on many more wonderful adventures. Keep the faith sweet friend..I know God has special plans for you!

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  14. Dearest friend, my heart hurts knowing you are continuing to struggle with your vision issues, you are frightened I know, especially being such a fabulous photographer. I have a feeling deep down that you will soon have improvement Donna - and I pray that the Moab trip can take place - know how much you and Mr. Jim were looking forward to it.

    Hang in there and know we are staying positive for you dear.
    Love, Mary

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  15. I'm so sorry your vision has not cleared, Donna. I'll keep you in my prayers and thoughts. Doesn't it seem like sometimes we go from one issue to another in a line that never ends? I hope that you and Mr. Jim will be able to take your trip, or another, and that the news in a couple of weeks will be better.
    Hugs to you.

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  16. Gosh you two deserve some "good news" dear Donna.
    I'm sending you positive thoughts and prayers across the seas.
    As our parents move into old age, the parenting role is reversed and we become the nurturer.
    Thinking of you take care dear friend.
    Warm hugs
    Shane

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!