tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post4536831498172955819..comments2024-03-28T16:20:57.446-07:00Comments on The Gardener's Cottage: january wrap upthe gardener's cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-15004109174473968882014-02-06T06:08:14.174-08:002014-02-06T06:08:14.174-08:00Hi Janet,
As always, your posts inspire me to be ...Hi Janet,<br /><br />As always, your posts inspire me to be more mindful-- about spending, about eating, about what is really needed in order to live a happy, healthy life. Thank you for this wonderful gift of yourself. Your blog is the gift that keeps on giving. And, by the way, I am a total olive oil convert now. The best benefit I have noticed is when I run oil-covered hands through my wet hair after applying it to the rest of my body. My hair has never looked or felt so good!Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14733262674768127741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-15582835374329462462014-02-05T15:43:56.507-08:002014-02-05T15:43:56.507-08:00i watch it a minimum of once a week. she's my...i watch it a minimum of once a week. she's my inspiration.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-64566817154758526242014-02-05T12:36:38.708-08:002014-02-05T12:36:38.708-08:00When I feel hammered and nailed at work, I watch M...When I feel hammered and nailed at work, I watch My Friend Maya, sometimes over and over. It instantly reminds me to calm down. What a simply lovely home and lifestyle she appears to have. Inspiring and calming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-10496335281700940482014-02-03T22:25:50.884-08:002014-02-03T22:25:50.884-08:00Its fine with me if you turn this into a food blog...Its fine with me if you turn this into a food blog! Seriously. I love the way you make food, and I am learning so much from you. I've been vegan for sometime, but got stuck in a rut...I NEED the instruction of a professional chef, lol! Thanks so much for the effort you put into the blog. I'm ok with you throwing in fashion, home decor, whatever strikes your fancy...but keep the foodie posts coming, please! Blessings.Missuz Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04784725035959683681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-66047469996933154492014-02-03T14:55:21.495-08:002014-02-03T14:55:21.495-08:00I love this series. It's eye opening to my own...I love this series. It's eye opening to my own life....makes me think about my purchases at the store more thoughtfully. And for the other content, I love it all. I get to peek into your life and to me that is what's fascinating. I find it fascinating j to read how other people live and choices they make. Keep on writing! I Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-80052510176903286862014-02-02T17:01:09.622-08:002014-02-02T17:01:09.622-08:00I have no idea why or how, but you've never wr...I have no idea why or how, but you've never written a boring post. Really. Every post you write, including those about food, is lovely and interesting. And I can't say that about any other blog. I really enjoy getting "boring" insights into how you shop for food and cook and eat and decorate... it really is a different (and better) model from how much of America lives, and it feels refreshing to see and learn from a different, healthier example. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-11063956497290443322014-02-02T15:42:49.812-08:002014-02-02T15:42:49.812-08:00Linda, no worries; I'm good. They say the can...Linda, no worries; I'm good. They say the cancer was eradicated with the surgery; I was still in Stage 1; really lucky. But that's why I'm also trying to improve my overall health because I don't want to take any chances. We should try to be healthy for all reasons anyway...like Maia. As I figured/feared(!), Maia is now my new obsession/inspiration. I googled her and found out some interesting things about her and said of her; there's a Facebook page on the film which is public domain (I don't do Facebook and they usually want you to log in) and I loved hearing her son talk about her. The short film is ALL over the web, obviously touching a deep chord in a lot of people. I feel blessed that Janet posted the film on this blog! (Thank you, Janet...for SO much!) Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-19282508318484410342014-02-02T11:43:53.372-08:002014-02-02T11:43:53.372-08:00debi i'm pretty sure she is referencing the li...debi i'm pretty sure she is referencing the link in my post he did on women graying.:)the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-17383465008303344342014-02-02T11:22:24.887-08:002014-02-02T11:22:24.887-08:00Kathy, could I ask which post of Stephen's you...Kathy, could I ask which post of Stephen's you are referring to?<br /><br />Thank you,<br />DebiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-54620984861766287462014-02-02T11:18:01.001-08:002014-02-02T11:18:01.001-08:00I took a peek at your basement post and noticed th...I took a peek at your basement post and noticed the content on your chalkboard. :-) I've got Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line" on right now! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-80477445205352279872014-02-02T10:46:07.433-08:002014-02-02T10:46:07.433-08:00:):)LRS4AMANDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312878555775487787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-48163072084819772632014-02-02T08:37:37.429-08:002014-02-02T08:37:37.429-08:00carry on ladies. i'm glad you are connecting....carry on ladies. i'm glad you are connecting. that's the point of blogging right?the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-30057886490160620582014-02-02T07:05:37.319-08:002014-02-02T07:05:37.319-08:00I'm very sorry to hear about your cancer diagn...I'm very sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis. I hope that you are doing well now and continue to be in good health. My husband and I have yet to make out a will or health care directive, we know it is something we need to do, but yet keep putting it off. :/<br /><br />(Yes Janet, my apologies... and to Gail too)LRS4AMANDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312878555775487787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-20180026100831529132014-02-01T20:54:25.799-08:002014-02-01T20:54:25.799-08:00Yes, most people don't realize what all this s...Yes, most people don't realize what all this stuff costs; surely we didn't, although I feel we and Dad SHOULD have known more. I was wrapped up in my own life with a certain amount of denial. I tried to talk with Dad about it later on but he always thought he'd survive Mom, saying "We'll figure it out at the time." With us, like what happens to a lot of people, it all descended very suddenly, too, with Dad's heart attack/failure; one day was one life, and the next day everything completely changed...for over five years. We weren't prepared. You jump in, muddle thru, wondering how long everything is going to last. <br /><br />Mother spent well over $100,000 a year to stay home with paid help. Most people can't sustain that kind of expense for very long, if at all. My and my husband's eyes are wide open on this subject because we nowhere near have the kind of assets/savings my parents had, nor are either of us going to allow the other to get worn down with caregiving in the home (we're also childless). We've had our talks about it, we know how much we need to save, we did our Wills and health directives when I was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year...and then we move forward, try to put that stuff to the side and concentrate on living; because life really IS beautiful and we can't waste a day of it! <br /><br />(Janet, thank you for letting Linda and I talk a little bit back and forth here..also me and Gail...<br />didn't mean to stray from your post.)Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-4361564063369503292014-02-01T20:46:46.179-08:002014-02-01T20:46:46.179-08:00Oh and one more thing...bless you and your friend ...Oh and one more thing...bless you and your friend for taking care of your Moms. I personally could never do it full-time, part-time was enough. Once when I was grumbling to my husband about his siblings not being involved, he told me "at least we won't have anything to feel guilty about". As the saying goes "more pennies from heaven"!LRS4AMANDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312878555775487787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-48969417144617652412014-02-01T18:28:56.672-08:002014-02-01T18:28:56.672-08:00Thanks for your reply Vicki...my husband and I had...Thanks for your reply Vicki...my husband and I had a couple family meetings with his siblings a few years ago and it didn't take long to figure out that they just wanted to hire the help that was needed. And very little time was spent talking about them and their care, one sibling in particular would end up talking about their belongings, and how she wanted to start cataloging what things are worth, blah blah blah. My husband and I ended up doing everything for almost 2 years (doctors appts., light cleaning, bathing, food, etc.) until my MIL fell and then the hospital said she couldn't go home until they had care givers. Both my MIL and FIL have dementia as well. It took over 6 months for them to adjust to having in home care, my FIL would call the house 6-8 times a day yelling at my husband. It was awful! He even was going to have him taken off as executor! Blamed my husband for EVERYTHING. Now we have 2 good girls working there that they seem to like.<br /><br />I worry about my husband, on top of their personal affairs his parents still own a restaurant that my husband has to be involved in. (mostly the financial aspects) But at least he pays himself for that. On a positive note, my husband is a teacher and gets a month off 3 times a year. He needs it!<br /><br />You are so right, kids shouldn't expect anything. Even though in all likelihood we will get a decent inheritance, we are planning for our retirement as though we will not. So whatever we do get in the end will be a bonus. My husband is a little freaked out after seeing what it costs to stay in one's home in old age so that is why we are try to put away as much as we can. At least we only have one child to inherit our estate, so if we have to use some of our money there will probably be a decent amount left for her. Another reason we want to have enough saved is so we can hire help and not have to rely on her to be our care giver!<br /><br />Have a good night. :)<br /><br />LindaLRS4AMANDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312878555775487787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-80967055886042096032014-02-01T16:16:31.677-08:002014-02-01T16:16:31.677-08:00I have enjoyed your wanderings away from fashion, ...I have enjoyed your wanderings away from fashion, thanks for writing!Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11619388679515063803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-82692537911860508992014-02-01T15:01:38.502-08:002014-02-01T15:01:38.502-08:00LRS4Amanda: I had a whole reply going here...it g...LRS4Amanda: I had a whole reply going here...it got wiped when I hit Publish. Suffice to say, I wish you good luck; yes, nobody should count on anything until the day it's put in their hand, or bank account. It's the parents' money first, not the kids'...but when you know you have inheritance possibly coming your way, it's easy to feel a bit possessive/disappointed. (Just being honest!) <br /><br />What surprised me was how few of my friends or relatives had ever wound up being a family caregiver. It made it hard for them to relate to what was going on for me and my husband. I was often Debbie Downer...caught myself at that, but my life was so dominated by caregiving, I couldn't talk about anything else...so I gradually withdrew from my friends. The isolation wasn't good.<br /><br />Linda, my advice to you is to continue to get the help you need for your in-laws; don't try to do so much yourselves (or your husband will lose his sanity...and it's not right with all of your relatives that he has to have the full responsibility, because being completely in charge of another adult's complicated life is a really, really hard, mentally & physically depleting job with never a day off, never a weekend, never a vacation...unless you control it and stop putting your own life on a backseat). I have a friend who has brought her alzheimer's-ridden mother into her home but she does put her mother in respite care at an assisted-living facility from time to time, so that she (my friend) and her husband can get away, take a vacation, have some relief. I felt I could never do this...my mother would go so downhill with the slightest changes; she was quite physically disabled from the beginning; it was always a lot of care, not just a little that she needed. But I should have done it for myself; had some outlets, forced myself to work on a hobby to distract; anything. We love our parents; we try to do what's the right thing. But we can't lose ourselves in the interim. And the parents don't mean to take so much of you or to be selfish but they get to a point to where they are just trying to get thru a day, with disability and death closing in, losing ground, losing independence. So frightening for them...<br /><br />I've made my peace with all of it. My parents were good to me; I wanted to give back. It was just all a lot more than I ever expected; intense, hard...I had the constant worry of running out of money and how I was going to keep Mom in good care; it needled at me all the time. Did I wish I had the inheritance? Of course, a thousand times. But my folks had helped me 'way too much over the years already, embarrassingly so. I'm just glad we didn't lose their house back to the bank...that I still got the chance to inherit it and try to get it out of hock so I can live in it. See? My folks are still helping me; I can live better here. I got enough. It took me awhile to get okay with that...but I got enough. As kids, we shouldn't expect anything! Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-91057389889063239852014-02-01T13:14:52.784-08:002014-02-01T13:14:52.784-08:00Vicki, quite the cautionary tale. My in-laws curre...Vicki, quite the cautionary tale. My in-laws currently have care givers 10 hrs. a day but at some point it will increase and it currently is costing almost 8k a month. My husband handles all of their personal finances and we were just discussing this a.m. how we think some of his siblings are banking on a large inheritance. Yes, my in-laws currently have money but in the end a lot of it could be used up on their care, depending on how many more years they are around. And with 7 heirs, it is definitely not something to count on. <br /><br />I also know someone that is definitely counting on their inheritance...they have mismanaged their money for years, borrowing money off their home equity so they could "keep up with the Jones". (just got back from a cruise they could not afford) I'm sure we all know people like that!<br /><br />LindaLRS4AMANDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312878555775487787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-65667136263651110052014-02-01T11:24:34.407-08:002014-02-01T11:24:34.407-08:00i know right? 95!i know right? 95!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-3688325701260510242014-02-01T08:43:01.895-08:002014-02-01T08:43:01.895-08:00I just found your blog recently. I enjoy it very m...I just found your blog recently. I enjoy it very much. I never in a million years would have said "I wish I had a 95 year old's body." She has flexibility which I have NEVER experienced in my lifetime. God bless her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-14007807944293244882014-02-01T07:37:25.594-08:002014-02-01T07:37:25.594-08:00Hi Janet,
I have been enjoying your series for Ja...Hi Janet,<br /><br />I have been enjoying your series for January, and read all of your comments too. (usually not all in one sitting) :)<br /><br />Since you did your post on the 99 cent store, I have been there 3 times and I swear every time I go I see something that I did't before. (I did manage to snag a couple of the chocolate bars, there were only 3 left) <br /><br />Before I quit my job in 2002, my husband and I ate out about 3 times a week. Since I stopped working we might eat out once a month, and it's usually Chipotle or some type of ethnic restaurant. (unless it's a birthday/anniversary then we will splurge) I think of all the money we wasted back then and how unhealthy it was too.<br /><br />Thanks for all of the work you put into your blog! <br /><br />Have a great weekend.<br /><br />Linda<br />xoLRS4AMANDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312878555775487787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-65044837383291947262014-02-01T07:21:09.829-08:002014-02-01T07:21:09.829-08:00I love your blog.
I love the comments.
thank youI love your blog.<br />I love the comments. <br />thank youCindi Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-6239509782592738502014-02-01T06:50:29.718-08:002014-02-01T06:50:29.718-08:00Motivated, not demotivated! I swear that was the ...Motivated, not demotivated! I swear that was the computer changing what I typed!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058762474046780110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-36323411187227271512014-02-01T06:49:27.778-08:002014-02-01T06:49:27.778-08:00I've spent the last week re-reading EVERY one ...I've spent the last week re-reading EVERY one of your posts. I had commented on your New Years challenge to purge 100 things that I didn't think I could because I purge so often, but looking at all your past posts has me demotivated to get rid of things I don't love. My friends think I'm pretty ruthless about getting rid of things, but now I'm seeing just how much I've kept out of obligation or because I'm afraid I'll want it right after I get rid of it. We've also toyed with going vegetarian or vegan and I think this is the year we will. But, I can't bring my self to throw out all the food I've already bought so we'll eat through it over the next few weeks and once the meat and dairy is gone, it won't be replaced. You motivated me to shop the 99 cent store for food, too. I would shop there for other things, but not really food. So long comment longer, please don't stop the food posts or any of the topics you talk about. So motivating! Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058762474046780110noreply@blogger.com