Hi everyone,
A few weeks ago I realized my life was going to get busier and busier as my hubby’s surgery neared, so I was trying to think of ways to keep my blog going but not get so overwhelmed that it became a burden or stressed me out too much. (I really do hate it that I’m not writing posts every day like I always did.) However, I thought of something that would be fun, and decided to ask a guest writer to write a post about whatever they wanted… dolls, life, gratitude, anything…
My guest writer for today is our sweet Marilyn. She lives in Colorado… not that that matters, but just a bit of trivia to introduce her. She loves to research topics and always finds out things that none of us ever knew was out there. She’s been a long time, faithful reader and is a cancer survivor herself. Back when my hubby was first diagnosed with bladder cancer she would send me the sweetest notes of encouragement and concern and advice and we’ve been “long distance,” but close friends ever since. So without further ado… here is Marilyn’s wonderful post… (right after a few pictures… gotta have pictures, don’t we?)
One time Marilyn made a typo in a comment she was making about tiny Ten Ping…accidentally calling her “Ten Pig”… and she felt SO awful about it, she apologized profusely again and again… Well, Marilyn, I just wanted to set the record straight…Ten Ping has a few things she wanted to tell you…
“I forgive you, Marilyn…”
“Even in my slip… I forgive you…”
“I SEE you all the way in Colorado, and I forgive you…”
“Even sewing, I thought of you…and you’re still my friend…”
“…even in my purple slip I can’t be upset at you… I feel like dancing…”
“…does this look like the face of a pig? I don’t think so… but I know it was just a typo… and I will never bring it up again…” :o)
NOW…here’s Marilyn’s guest post…She had no idea I was going to ask questions while I was with my hubby at the hospital…
For a lot of us, being able to read the blog while we start the day or take a break with coffee or tea is one of the guaranteed nice times in our day. Of course I like to see what Jeanne is doing, whether it’s discovering shiplap in her kitchen or making a petticoat for Addy. I usually comment in the morning and then go back later to see what other people have said. If there’s not a new blog entry, there are nearly always new comments, from readers or Jeanne, so any time I need a little extra cheer, I can find it on Idreamofjeannemarie.com. My very favorite comments are the ones that tell more about us. Recently I liked responses about favorite flowers and childhood best dresses/outfits. I decided to ask Jeanne if we could try for a couple more of the personal response comments. Here goes.
When I taught Research Paper Writing, I asked students to write an introductory paper (not to be graded, though points were given) to “show me where we are starting as writers, so I know what I need to review.” My hidden agenda was to find out something about the students and write short positive responses. Any link between teacher and student pays off in the number of students who finished the required class.
The assignment was to write about a compliment that you appreciated. I gave examples. One woman said, “I am a klutz. I can trip over the cracks between floor tiles.” She was therefore not thrilled about going skating with her family. Part way through the evening, her husband said, “I just love to watch you. You are so graceful.” I guess grace is in the eye of the beholder, just like beauty. In his eyes, she must have had both.
Because my students tended to be fairly young, many talked about proposing and being accepted, or about being proposed to and accepting. Others talked about children. One woman said she was at a Little League game when her 7 year old walked up, looked at her, and said, “God, Mom, you look so beautiful with the sun behind you.”
A single father said he and his girlfriend had tried hard to succeed as a couple and it just didn’t work. They loved each other but couldn’t live together. A few weeks after they broke up, she called. She was pregnant. After a short dead silence, he said, “If you will have this baby, I will raise it.” The baby was not well when he was born, so it was the father who sat by the incubator and encouraged him to live, who held him and fed him and took him home a month later. When he wrote about it, the baby was two, and the father’s favorite compliment was about his son, “That is such a cute little boy, and he’s so healthy.”
A woman wrote, “My mother, MY MOTHER, says I’m a good mother.”
I gave them the option of choosing a different topic. A Japanese student wrote about Japanese courting customs, and a fellow student from Nigeria responded with traditional Nigerian marriage customs. In one class 80% had had near death experiences from accident, medical conditions, or, in one case, being in a hotel reception area when someone came in with a gun. The class bonded immediately.
So – what’s one of my own favorite compliments? At the end of one semester, one of the students wrote, “I didn’t tell you this then, but this was my third time through this class. When I read your comment on my introductory paper, I thought, ‘I can do this this time.’” And of course she had. Encouragement means to put courage into someone.
What’s one of your favorite compliments? Or what matters to you that you would like to write about?
Thank you, Marilyn,
Okay, let’s see what everyone has to say!
See you when I can,
Blessings, Jeanne
Not sure about this as there are no comments yet?? Definitely, a problem somewhere out there in the cloud.
For Jeanne, this morning I received the May 18th and May 21st posts. And no today’s May 22nd. I wonder what’s up with that? I saw that others in your group have had the same problem. Perhaps because the posts have been scheduled previously? Fortunately, I do know that I can look it up by .com, but it is not the same as arriving in my morning mail. Perhaps, your Word Press people may know how to fix the problem? The missed posts (which never used to arrive at all, not three days late) used to happen to me only when you posted before/after your scheduled time, but now it is happening every day. I think it must be something to do with how the scheduling is set up. Oh, and since I am going through .com, I have to type in my name/email every time.
Marilyn, I have always enjoyed your detailed research reports and today’s story is no exception. Loved reading it. Thank you guest writer! I will have to think about the compliment question. Brain fog at the moment. 🙂
Hi Joy,
It does seem like there is a problem with people getting the posts the day they are supposed to… I might see if I can’t check out the scheduled time factor and figure it out…
If I can’t figure it out. ..you can just Google idreamofjeannemarie.com or
idreamofjeannemarie or
I Dream of Jeanne Marie or
I dream of jeanne marie blog
Just about any combination will either get you to my blog or to a link.
Thanks for letting me know, Joy…
Blessings, Jeanne
Ali sent this to me in an email so I’m passing it along…
Hi Jeanne! Just wanted you to know that I’m getting your posts like clockwork every time you send them and most at 2 am. I don’t think it’s WordPress sending them that is the problem. It is possibly the email servers of the recipients. Some servers think WordPress is spam and their filters dump your email before anyone ever sees it. For starters, everyone should make sure they have OK’d your posts to come through, whichever way their email wants them to do that. Some servers want the senders exact address in your address/contacts list. Some, you have to click something at the server and tell the filter it is not spam. Each server (receivers ISP for emails) handles it differently and since it’s mostly automated, it’s sometimes hard to get it to work correctly. So, through all that, what I’m saying is that it may not be anything you or doing or anything you can fix. Once it is sent from WordPress it has to go through many different servers to get to each individual and there could be a problem at any of them. Worry not, about it dear one. You have plenty enough on your plate right now. I’ll be praying hard for George and you, too, and appreciate ever prayer for myself as well. : ) God is good. He is always with us and will not forsake us. His reasons for things may never be known, but I KNOW it’s for something better and good. God Bless us all!! Love and Big hugs, Ali
Well, for goodness sakes, I had no idea there was a blog today, since I too, am having trouble getting it everyday, and who knows when I get it? I just now got it and it is way in the afternoon, but I had to go looking for it!
Marilyn certainly does have a way with words! L She is so eloquent and at the same time so down to earth! I can’t even think of how to respond to this blog today! I think that most of us have no idea how much we influence other people, so keep it to ourselves things that are really a huge help to others without us knowing.
As a former teacher, I know firsthand how encouragement and acknowledging others that try to improve themselves works wonders in creating confidence. We all need it and we all can give it too! We should all take the time in our busy lives to recognize others and their achievements, no matter how large or small.
I don’t think it is my server as a problem. Anything unusual that comes in goes to my spam file, and I am notified immediately. I have not had your posts go to spam ever. There is some kind of a delay in the sending of your posts now. Such as posts arriving three days late. Wonder how that can be tracked down? I will check to see about the contact list, but your posts have always arrived daily in the recent past and for months prior. Something has to have changed recently.
And know that this is a busy time for you so don’t worry. We can always visit through your .com address. And again, I have to put in my name and email every time before I can post. That must be a WordPress thing?
HI Joy,
I texted Sarah and asked her if she thought it was a scheduling problem or a 1:00am or a 1:00pm problem.. Each night when I do my posts, I schedule them to go on a 1:00am…or so I thought… it works for me every time, but I’m wondering if some of you are getting them at 1:00pm in the afternoon… just a thought… I’ll see if she answers me and has any solutions or ideas as to what’s happening.
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi everyone, it’s me again… I wanted to answer Marilyn’s question… what is your favorite compliment? I have two! One was here while back when I was at the old thrift store here in town. I always forget when the Senior Citizen discount day is… so I asked. The girl behind the counter said it’s on Wednesday, but you surely aren’t a senior citizen are you? I said, “I am…” she said, NOOO… and I said, sort of proudly by this time, Yes, I am… She said, “I never would have guessed you for a day over 50!” Well, let me tell you, that MADE my day!
The second compliment was when I had a group of 3 ladies over to my house for a lunch. I had worked really hard making my house look nice… it was before I had my new flooring down. As we were sitting in the living room, chattering about things, Leann, said, “Your house is just so…so…so uncluttered!” I was thrilled and welcomed that compliment like you can’t imagine! It was something I’ll never forget… She had no idea how much that meant to me!
Well, those are my two compliments! How about anyone else! Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Humm, those compliments don’t come to me often. But, I do like to sew and have found that I enjoy sewing for the small set. (Dollies) One time, when writing a bit about a doll adventure, someone liked what I wrote and said, “You should be a writer!” Ha Ha, not unless I can take Marilyn’s new online writing course. 🙂 Where do I sign up?
Good morning all ~
Well, I know this is a day late but still wanted to send these thoughts. First of all I would like to thank Marilyn for the guest post. I usually read the blog before work and many mornings don’t have time to participate. Marilyn, your topic was a stumper for me. I found myself thinking about it off and on all day and even last night before sleep – you know how sometimes you just can’t turn your mind off.
I was trying to think of something profound and life changing. I have always had a soft spot for people older than me and was brought up to be “respectful of my elders” (and now I am one!) Anyways, one time while shopping some years back I helped an elderly man who was in a scouter cart trying to reach something in the isle. It was no big deal – anyone would have helped – I just happened to be there. He was so extremely grateful and apologetic that he needed help, I assured him everything was fine and I was happy to be able to help him. He told me I was very kind. I wished him a blessed day and I think he was on the verge of tears. It reminded me that one simple, helpful gesture can mean so much to the recipient. There are so many elderly people that live alone and are lonely . A simple smile and hello will brighten their day and bring a smile to their face and it costs us nothing.
On a lighter note, I recently met up with one of my husband’s co-workers wife and I don’t know how the subject of age came up but she was shocked to find out I was 10 years older than her. She said “Wow, you really look good” – well, I am definitely taking that as a compliment!
Thanks Marilyn
Oh, I forgot to mention. I loved the story about “Ten Pig” – I laughed out loud.
I still tear up thinking about the story of the young man and the baby that Marilyn shared. What a joy that young man is, and she is a genius at teaching and relating significant information and stories. Thanks, Marilyn, for all you do.
I’m like Jeanne in that sometimes people do comment on age in a way that makes one feel good. The first time I remember was when my daughter-in-law went for her first checkup after my first grandson was born. My son and I were sitting there with him, waiting for her, and a woman asked me, “Is this your first child?” I was 52! The last time was the other day when I went to the Norton Simon Museum to the Degas Statues Exhibit and the young man at the desk asked to see my ID when I told him I qualified for the elder discount. Blank stare, so I had to get out my Driver’s License. I’m 77 now! Some people are kind and don’t realize it.
Looking forward to other’s replies. I could send pictures of my fairy gardens for a post if there is enough interest. Most readers have seen them already but you have some new followers Thinking of you and George today and in the days to come. Love to you.
I loved what Leigh said — a simple smile can make a difference. In one of Olivia Goldsmith’s novels, a doctor talks about the gift of being seen. And, as Leigh says, it costs us nothing. It doesn’t even take extra time.
Or sometimes it takes an extra few minutes but is worth it for the memory. My sister was at O’Hare in Chicago at a restaurant and asked to see the manager, who appeared, but was clearly cross. She said that she had been depressed when she came in, but the restaurant was so clean, the food so good, and the staff so courteous and friendly that she felt much better and wanted him to know how much she appreciated it. She said when she left a couple minutes later, everyone was waving goodby and smiling. They all had a nice story to tell when they got home and she has a pleasant memory too.
Well, I had the opposite experience with the baby, Susette. My Mum had my sister when I had just turned 16, being a horrible teenager I was not pleased. I was with my mother at the obstetrician’s ‘rooms’ when she had her post natal check. I was sitting in the waiting room, reluctantly holding the baby when a young and very pregnant woman asked if she could hold her. She asked if I was ‘feeding her myself’ if I had still been holding the baby I might have dropped her! It must have shocked me, I have a vivid memory of the weather, (hot) what the woman was wearing (a blue and white shift dress – it was 1962).
Thank you Marilyn for your guest post. Your passion for teaching is very evident.
I’m not good at receiving compliments, but if I give them, they are real. I want to compliment Jeanne on Ten Pings clothing. Dressing tiny dolls is difficult. Jeanne chooses exactly the right scale for Ten Ping. And those sleeves, wow!
One compliment I treasure came from the Senior doctor in the ER I worked in just before I retired. After I had brought seriously unwell child to his attention he thanked me and said he wished all the nurses had my expertise and intuition.
I’d love to see your fairy gardens Susette, I’ll even send photos of my porcelain fairy dolls.
Hang in there Jeanne.
I can think of a couple of compliments that stand out:
My friend Liz (who is also a sewer) and I enjoy visiting fabric stores, and sometimes we get on the topic of what fabrics (particularly for quilting, where you can have a mixture of prints) go together well. I enjoy picking things out to go together, and she apparently has a hard time with that (or is less than confident about it, anyway), and a couple of times she’s said to someone else but in my hearing that I have a wonderful color sense, and can always find fabrics that go together well!
Along the same lines, my sister-in-law once told me that I had my own sense of style (in clothing, putting outfits together, etc.), which I took as a compliment!
Oh, and sometimes people are quite surprised to learn I’m 72–my hair, which is now dark blonde, formerly almost white-blonde, has never gotten gray, so apparently it makes me look younger than I am! (when I was in my early 20s I still looked like I was 12, and then it was NOT a compliment to be told I couldn’t possibly be as old as I was! LOL)