Sunday, November 10, 2019

So~ Book 2~






Yes..do come in..things aren't the same anymore..but I have been lifted up by you..to try and continue.

We can't all be savvy tecchies:)
And we can't all be so caring as all of you.
So to all my kind readers..and my tecchie kind readers thank you for making me reconsider ending my book.

Linda reinstated my header and sidebar almost immediately which ..made looking at the first page more bearable for me.Then added pictures..and has not stopped working on my humble blog.
She is a blogger's Fairy Godmother I was told.
:)
And sure enough..:)She is♥

Val has sent me numerous emails..all helpful with tips and tricks and sent me Noah that has now reappeared on my sidebar:)A kinder little soul would be hard to find~

Little personal notes here and there..even my daughters..
and one of my daughter's friends..Amanda..who is so very convincing..she's a writer extraordinaire..and suggested Nana should continue♥
So..I had made this little Ikea lantern before all this happened..and feel it's like a welcome mat for you to stay if you wish..
Looks like all photos from 2015 to now are going to have to be painstakingly added one by one and I need to get my head around it all.
It's not like I can pray to St-Anthony....the patron saint of lost things..to magically make them reappear.

I urge you all to BACK up..
Go to Blogger..go to settings..go to other..and back up.
Right now if you can.
Put your Google albums on Drive..so that if you delete them..they will at least be in Trash for 60 days.Mine were not.

I am going to make a pinkie promise and try not to harp and dwell on the past.Move on..


I am one of those people..What if?If Only..

All in my head of course:)

I used to be the girl that said:"Everything happens for a reason"~
Until I didn't..because some things you just cannot believe  they happened for a reason.
In no way do I think that this is one of those life altering moments..
It's a blog.Period.
And I learned a valuable lesson.
And I am so thankful for this blog.
The reasons are exponential.

So ..let's try and not look at all those ugly blacked out pics..and move forward.

And again..know how much I appreciate everyone.
It's not just a cyber world ..it's a small small world after all~.


I follow a Gentle ..Man ..a wonderful artist on Instagram..
I recently bought his book.
It's a keeper.
Charlie Mackesy
and
 His IG account
The following 3 photos are the cover of his book..and 2 pages in it.








82 comments:

  1. This is the best news all week! Welcome back!

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  2. I feel like I got an early Christmas present finding your beautiful blog re-emerging!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. Well MerryChristmas Bonnie..you made me smile.🙏🏻

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  3. I am so happy for you Monique...and for all of us...to be able to continue enjoying your gorgeous photos and warm fuzzy stories...OMG!....this is fabulous... just had to comment...thanks to all who helped you...angels for sure😇
    🖤🖤🖤

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    1. ♥♥♥You are so nice to take the time to comment.I know how busy you are♥♥♥
      Take care!!!

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  4. YEAH!!!! I am so glad you are back. Thanks to all of your friends who jumped in and helped!

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  5. If I knew how to dance, I'd be happy dancing with you.

    This is such Wonderful news, you are back!!
    ...and maybe St Anthony had something to do with us believing no one should give up hope....your blog is not lost...to you...to us.

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  6. Wowwww...Great news !!...Welcome back Monique !!...Yes Yes Yes !!💕💕💕

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    1. I have to learn to look past the imperfections☺️🙏🏻Thank younRia😍

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  7. oh thank you, Monique! I am a longtime follower and admirer and constantly refer to links you have posted. I love your style and stories and most of all your humor and humility. I am 69 years old and giggled out loud when I read this good news. Best of everything to you!

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    1. I am almost 66☺️Same club☺️🙏🏻Thank you!!!

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  8. I am so happy you're back! The lantern is beautiful & I want to try to make one of my own.

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  9. OMG! This is wonderful news. I knew it could be done...just not my area of expertise. I'm so glad Linda, et al., were able to help you, Monique. And, I'm glad all of the encouragement that was given made you not want to give up. Happy Dance here :-)))

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    1. Thank you Pea!!!Its not going to look the same..but..🤗😊💫Book 2 is on☺️

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  10. Most heartwarming--made my day! I pay extra for my host to backup my blog, but know I should do it on my own too occassionally. Perhaps a winter break project. So happy to have you back!

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    1. Thank you!A grave error on my part to have not backed up😟🤷‍♀️😟🤷‍♀️😢IfI can find many of the pics I’ll add not all pages are viewable on Wayback so not sure what goes where🙄🙄🙄

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  11. Very glad that you are back up and running! Monique, I am sorry for the losses and pain you've experienced, and I'm grateful for all the "helpers" who have blessed you and us with their expertise. You've given us much to smile about. Wishing you the best!!

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    1. Thanks Pam!
      Yes if the header and sidebar and first few pics were not reinstalled byangels🙂⭐️I would not be here!

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  12. WOW well isnt this wonderful 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
    Right in the Christmas spirit since its already here in Paris
    Lots of giving of the right kind
    I can't stop smiling 😄😄😄❤️

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    1. Yes lots of giving.In the true spirit of humanity for a little blog♥I think if no one had cared..it would have been easier to let go:)But when you see the connections we all make..c'est impossible de terminer son histoire:)
      Wasn't it you who suggested Charlie on IG?I was not 100% sure..just 99.9 %:)

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  13. You just made my day!!!Thank you!

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  14. I am so happy you are back. I come here for inspiration, beautiful images, delicious food and peace of mind. You bring that to all of us Monique. Thank you and love for your unique perspective.

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    1. Well..I loved doing this because of all the beautifl connections..
      You have all lifted me up from day to day..year to year.I have learned and made things from all of you:)!

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  15. Monique you know I was very happy to help you. It is time consuming, but so worth it. Moving forward is so wise. You have a lot to offer and all of us so appreciate your beautiful photography, stories and recipes.
    Everyone is thrilled 😄 you are not giving up.

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    1. You're a little angel..you know that I hope:)
      Had you not resurrected the header..side bar..first pics and more..I could not have looked here.
      I like seeing order.
      You too I know it:)
      Fairy Blogmother for sure.
      With sincere appreciation:)

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  16. Dearest Monique,
    SO happy to read this post! Did you receive my email?
    Yesterday I've managed to capture my final home video with help of the Hi8 VCR and my hardware that I had for 2 years. SO happy about that too!
    Life is not easy at times, but with the help of each other we all move forward and share the little happy moments that fill our lives.
    You are such a big soul for capturing those little moments on camera, with your paint brush and above all, putting it to words - straight from the heart!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. No..no email but this lovely note!Thank you for your encouragement,I know you are not one to give up easily,you set a fine example🙂xx

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    2. Monique, that was from November 6 but I have resent it now again, so please look for it. This is the subject line today: Fwd: PLEASE keep your precious blog Monique
      Big hugs,
      Mariette

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    3. So strange..nothing..nor in spam/junk🤷‍♀️

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    4. Is your email still the hotmail address you use here on CONTACT ME?

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    5. Yes and funnily enough I clicked on it to make sure.. What is happening?:)

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    6. Dearest Monique,

      You know that my dear Pieter is almost 22 years my senior, so I’ve been living rather realistic about the statistics that one day I don’t have him with me…
      Between you and your love, there also is a difference. It is precious to save all your thoughts, art work and things you LIVED for and LOVED with all your being.
      Sure, this loss looks overwhelming. But step back from it for a moment. ELEVEN years of writing you cannot undo in an emotional upwelling of loss. Even if it would take you months, step by step, it would never outweigh the gain of ELEVEN precious years.
      One day, it will be all you have… aside from your children and grands. But no longer you soulmate at your side. Those stories and photos will bring you joy and bridge the time that lies between meeting again in heaven…
      Life is such a temporary journey and you are a rare, precious lady that WRITES and also is capable of expressing her love and passion in her ART! Cooking and baking with LOVE. Preserve this for passing it on to your offspring.

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    7. At the moment I’m fighting to get all my videos digitalized. Have uploaded them on YouTube (unlisted) so to kind of free up space on iCloud. So far, Pieter has been enjoying watching his BEST years, on his new iPad. Precious and it is worth all the effort. I’ve done first some larger tapes but went to the original small Hi8 tapes as they are the core. Better quality too… you lose each time something. But I have maybe taped over some of the Hi8 tapes and they were not complete. It is quite a task to delete the large ones when I have the better Hi8 version… But one day, rainy or cold days… I will finish that! I’ve purchased an almost new Sony Hi8 VCR that I will resell once my task is done. (hoping to finish on Sunday!)...
      Oh, and my biggest joy, came with FedEx on Monday. Had to sign for it as I’ve bought a Sharp multi system VCR for $ 599 so now I can finally digitalize our Australian tapes from the Thorn Birds (did one as a test and perfect!) and also my most favorite French spoken Angélique series videos from The Netherlands… Will resell it too after I’m done. Like the video made from my Parents’ 50th anniversary and my brother’s wedding and a 1st cousin’s wedding… Like an early Christmas but it is not for free. Have to stay close to my iMac as it cannot go to sleep or I have to start all over. Got this hardware already 2 years ago! It just takes discipline and I got a lot of it. Glad that I opted for doing this before starting to type and edit the many photos for Pieter’s updated book that he handwrite in 1999 (summer/fall) about 500 pages I guess. Will publish that as an iBook myself as at that time it did NOT get published due to some politics. Some other scientists wanted HIS book as the sole book available instead of dealing with the biggest competitor… SAD but a fact!

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    8. Before my Pieter moves to heaven I want him to see this finished! I’m praying hard, very hard that God grants me the time to complete his. No bigger gift I would be able to present him…
      But I opted for doing the videos first and that has picked him up so much; he changed and was so happy viewing them again. A mega task but I will soon have that completed. Proud of him, being 90.5 and able to view this on his new iPadPro the 12.9” version.
      So, pull yourself together Monique and do it.
      One day, when Pieter is gone, I might be able to read all my scanning work. Like all the letters from my Mom and his brothers etc. I want to make another blog with Mom’s letters. Nobody can read it but Dutch people but for my relatives it is like reading a book, a Mother’s story about her eldest daughter gone some 8,000 km away…
      My 2nd sister, (below me) is a toxic one and she has trashed quite a lot of my weekly letters that Mom saved in shoe boxes, as per my request. She often did re-read them too. All our special adventures in detail, like my visit to my uncle in Australia, Dad’s youngest brother. Etc. Etc. Guess Diny was just envious and had to destroy my LIFE. I felt so depressed for a long time, like she had murdered me… it was my memory and I had no more than for some years an agenda when opened you have the entire month on the left/right page… Very little to write down in the tiny squares.
      But you know, with having scanned the scrap books, photo albums, slides and some letters, also from Pieter’s work manual that he kept from day to day with notes. The stories did come back! A human mind works at times surprisingly well and you will be always amazed at the fact that we can do a lot more than what we think we can…
      Never give up!

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    9. Often I’ve had fear when having to do training in yet another language… feeling insecure. But that is soon over when you realize that those listening to you are ‘but’ humans and nobody can judge you by your mother-tongue ability, but yourself… Don’t be too hars on yourself too, just TRUST that you will be able to pull it off.
      Yes, memories are one day a sweet cushion for old age…
      I don’t even care if others might find my archiving/biography/history boring. First of all, I do it for my Pieter and also for his colleagues scientists that have passed on already… Someone has to write it down and now Pieter can answer still questions and one day that opportunity is gone.
      As if it had to be like that (and I DO believe in Angels above that help us throughout life! maybe former loved ones…?) just when I proudly proclaimed to Pieter that now I had it all filed by year and by subject… Next week I got a request via my LinkedIn from a Dutch Phd. writer who is writing the history of horticulture in my Dutch Province of Limburg. After all the coal mines closed, how e.g. mushroom business boomed. My Pieter was THE PIONEER in starting the 1st and only practical training college in the world about mushroom growing. Classes in Dutch (3-year), yearly courses and also in English and in German. He wrote for that purpose his Dutch book that later got translated into 8 (official!) languages and he got complimented by the Minister for Agriculture and Fishery for a unique accomplishment. Also all his material used for class had to be written. He wrote in numerous magazines etc. etc.
      So this writer was flabbergasted that I could hand him lots of photos, articles etc. Like someone above had prepared me IN TIME! He from his side provided me/us with numerous articles about Pieter from the past as he has full access to all Dutch archives. A treasure and that has made my Pieter so very proud!

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    10. His ex, who is still alive, never ever showed any interest in his work! She never organized a photo album, neither a scrap book. Pieter did not want to take all material with him when he immigrated to the USA so he left it behind at the college… SAD!
      You see, the puzzle pieces were coming together nicely which made me feel so proud.
      Pieter has been a workaholic all his life, mainly because his disappointment in marriage… having to live like brother/sister with his ex! He managed to do so for 27 years… can you imagine?! Otherwise he no doubt would have had the time to write that much and with such a passion… shifting just his purpose and love/passion. SAD.
      Tried to make up for that but the lack of never having archived any of his previous years of work was a challenge for me. But I’ve don a LOT so far.
      Hope this story will get you started… Loved your blog, regardless of my time limit at times!
      So that’s why I took the time to write you this…
      Lots of hugs and you will get over this and MANAGE! Girl Power, my youngest brother would say after I came home from my 3,100 km solo driving trip to the Blue Ridge Pkwy and Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park…
      I did sleep my 2nd night home around the clock… probably I did get exhausted but for those 10 days, starting with a wedding in Tennessee, I kept going - it is just ATTITUDE AND WILL POWER!
      Will post about it later…

      Mariette

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    11. Oh Mariette..what a true testament of love and devotion to your dear husband!
      I know you love him so deeply and honestly.
      I think it is wonderful he found love true love with you.
      You sister sounds like some friends I have had😟We encounter all types in life I think.
      Thank you for sharing all this with me..us..as we can all learn!
      How fortunate you had all prepared ..circumstancially☺️For the gentleman.
      And thank you for taking the time necessary to share all these personal important thoughts🙏🏻

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    12. Dearest Monique,
      Still wondering why I could not send this email to you... it never came back to me as being the wrong address or whatever...
      True, we encounter all types in life and as we age, we learn and find out about them.
      Important is to be content and to value the little things, often hand made, hand baked... hand written too!
      Those that chase other things for 'instant' happiness, will miss out on true happiness and often love. Love is for a big part giving and that in itself is oh so rewarding!
      Big hugs and yes, you continue with your precious love story!
      Mariette

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    13. You are an amazing documentor!I am taken aback at aging to tell you the truth.I hate watching people I love age.
      Because although not necessarily true..I just feel days are more counted.
      You are so right I That it’s all the small things..never the diamonds or mansions.

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  17. So happy to have you back, dear Monique.You have so much to offer your readers! I keep smiling for a while after reading your posts. We need you!
    Lots of hugs

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  18. I had the biggest grin on my face, when I opened this email! Welcome back, Monique - it's great to have you
    blogging, again!

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  19. So happy that you are back/continuing! That lantern in adorable (I am actually working on my own at the moment), and I backed up my blog before writing this comment.

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    1. So proud of you💫👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Wish I had!

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  20. Biggest smile EVER here today to see you back! I'm so glad you didn't disappear on us. You bring such light into our lives, at least to mine (and judging from the comments, many more than I!) I have that little lantern but what you have done with it is so sweet and special, you have inspired me to perhaps go off the grid and do something with mine - as soon as I finish my silly sale this week. It's getting me behind my game in everything -- visiting people, blogging, doing anything around the house besides pricing cards and stuffing watercolors into frames with high (but not that high) hopes. It will be what it is.

    Meanwhile, we must have close to the 5 inches of snow predicted by tonight as it has been snowing much of the day. I'm really not ready but it isn't my choice!

    Oh, you are back. Hey, with news like that, I don't even mind the snow!

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  21. So cute your comments!Hope you do decorate a lantern and show us Jeanie!And it’s not a sillysale⭐️⭐️⭐️

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  22. This makes me smile! And thanks for the adorable lantern photos.

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  23. I am so pleased that you have decided to move forward with this! I was sad when you said you were quitting. I don't follow a lot of blogs anymore, but yours is a regular with me! It is heartbreaking to lose years of work for sure. That happened when AOL decided to shut down its Journals. That's whey I moved to Blogger, but I had blogged on AOL for a number of years before that. I know it is not an easy process to doggedly re-add all of your old photos, but it will be worth it in the end. Look at it as a step by step process instead of as a "whole". Its easier to take one page/day/post at a time. The blogging community is a wonderful one. That's been my experience! I am so grateful for it and for the wonderful friends I have made through it, one of which is you! I am not surprised that some truly wonderful and talented people stepped forward to help you with this. You are so loved by so many people. We were all probably devastated at the thought of you shutting this down. I like IG, but I love blogging more. It seems to connect you with people more in a way. Not sure why! I love your Christmas Lantern. I have been looking for a lantern, but haven't been able to find one The ones I find are too expensive to trot out once a year. I will keep looking for sure! I follow that same artist/man on IG. He's amazing. Like Jeanie, when I saw you were back and moving forward, I smiled big time! Yay! My heart sings! You mean so much to so many. Believe that. Its true. xoxo

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    1. Old habits die hard.
      Yes the kindness of comments..the help..an email from a dear girl who lives in my town..my girls..Amanda..just have to continue.
      I think you know ai went from seeing people every day in an almost30 yr career to being alone .
      I cannot thank my blog enough and this community with all the caring people who read my words .
      Kept me going..kept me going..keeps me going ina very special way.
      Thanks for always being there Marie☺️🙏🏻😘

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  24. Yahoo Monique!!! I am so happy for you! (and all of us who get to share your words) Big smiles and hugs to you and your blogger Fairy Godmothers!! :) XOXO

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    1. Thank you💕😘It will take time...but winter is long 😊😊😊

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  25. I am so happy that you decided to keep going! Sending you huge gentle hugs...

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  26. Welcome back, old friend. I read your post and felt heartsick. I remember you quit posting for a time and I emailed you and asked where you had gone. I followed for so long and the though of not hearing about the littles, Jacque and the family, the many many recipes and everything else. I was very sad -- felt like I had lost a friend. So imagine me in bed, coming to say goodbye, and finding a small miracle. For you would be so missed. Thank you. You've given me hope.

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    1. Thank you Donna..I've not received posts from you in so long..yes many many many yrs ago I took a break.I had to as I was so sick:( I just couldn't.C'est la vie..
      I will continue..thiscommunity is just so warm:)

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  27. I am sure there are many, many viewers who are breathing a sigh of relief that we will be able to continue to enjoy your photographs, recipes, watercolors, and many more including the falling, sprinkling stars... Thank you to the human angels/fairy godmothers who diagnosed and gave you and us hope! We need more rays of love and sunshine in this world and you have brought it for me for years and look forward to years to come! Thank you!!

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    1. Out and about these days..people often add in their conversations with me:"We need more kindness these days"..remarkably so! I think you are spot on..we must always take the opportunity to be nicer.THis was such an example of people stepping forward..and I mean the comments too.To take the time to say what you just said.I promise to do the same today to someone:)Thank you.

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  28. I am so happy to see that you haven't given up. And that you have Blog Angels helping you! Your blog is heavenly, always has been...

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    1. It's been a bit of heaven for me for sure Rita..♥Look at how many nice people we met:) I have little bits and bobs of you all over my atelier:)

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    1. Sometimes the subsequent seasons are never as good as the first;):(But THANK you.You made me smile Abbe.

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  30. Dear Monique
    I am so glad that you are back. I was so sad when you said that you were no longer going to blog. I so looked forward to your blogs. You are so talented as an artist and photographer. I wish I lived in Quebec and could be your friend. Your blog is a bright spot in so many of our days. Welcome back. Sue

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    1. You’re my bedtime story tonight🙏🏻Thank you Sue for these really kind words.
      Take care..Best..Monique

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  31. I'm so glad you are continuing with your blog :-) x

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    1. PS, thank you for the information, although when I backed up I got a lot of pages of tech stuff!

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  32. So glad you are back! I deleted all of my photos on my blog posts from 2007 - 2014 last year! I was in a panic, but then just decided they weren't very good any way. I have mine backed up online, and could have added them back to the blog, but it was too much work.

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    1. I hear you!Oh what a mess we made Pam😢My old ones are there it’s 2016 to now😢😢😢Thank you!
      So sorry this happened to you too though

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    I was in a panic, but then just decided they weren't very good any way. I have mine backed up online, and could have added them back to the blog, but it was too much work.

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    I have mine backed up online, and could have added them back to the blog, but it was too much work.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Dear Monique, I slowly recover my activity after this terrible flu that left me with no strength and unwillingness to react. I think the worst is over. Hugs

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  36. Oh Monique! I haven’t blogged in a couple of years?!? I miss my home base. I finally went to post and it’s missing the category names on the top and sidebar. I clicked on the woman that redid my blog for me years ago, and it goes to a Japanese (I think) language site. I am going to have to hire someone to put it together for me.
    It sounds like you lost your photos, and I’m so sorry! Now, I need to see if mine are still there, if I can remember my password!
    I’m glad we’re IG (and blogging) friends!

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