I have missed everybody and it’s great to be back. I’m not very good at following advice that I would give someone else but this time I did the sensible thing and took a break from everything. Work, blogging, socializing – if I had a cave I would have gone to stay in it.
My slow recovery and continued pain from the eye surgery was contributing to my low mood but fortunately my regular eye doctor has provided huge relief by inserting little collagen stoppers into my leaky tear ducts so that some liquid stays in the eyes. He said I had striations from the dryness which was causing pain up to the scale of 10. When I started researching my eye problem, I reduced a variety of factors that were contributing to my chronic dry eye. I cut back on my essential medication to a manageable level, stopped taking the painkillers and anti-histamines. Then I cleaned my diet – more Omega 3s, less caffeine, less alcohol and more vegetables. I walked every day for 3 or 4 miles and was vigilant with eye drops and cleansing.
It all helped but the honest truth is that I think most of it was a mechanical problem – the tear ducts were just not working properly. This is common, particularly in menopausal women but the less said about that the better… I am not having hot flashes – it just gets suddenly hot in the sub-tropics. 🙂 With more liquid in my eyes the vision is my post cataract eye is much better and I have super spidey vision with tiny writing. It’s a nice plus in a protracted recovery.
Last weekend I knew I was feeling better because I suddenly wanted to go on a solo trip with our air miles. We have been very thrifty (our water bill has increased from $10 to $10.10!) and it was a relatively inexpensive trip with a free flight and a fantastic Hotwire deal on a historic hotel in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. This week I will be telling you all about it. Sometimes you just need a literal break away.
This red link “Kerry chatting” will take you to a little video of me chatting in my dulcet Celtic tones – I just want to say thank you, literally, for all the support you gave me. It meant so much.
Welcome back Kerry 🙂
Glad to know you’re feeling better and taking good care of yourself
Turtle Hugs
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Thank you so much, especially for the turtle hugs!
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Khaleesi! Welcome back. The dragons and I have been holding down the fort, but things will pick up now that you’re back. Yay!
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Thank you kind Ser, for looking after my winged children and the fort. Now I can start reading your posts. I knew Jon Snow wasn’t dead!
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🙂 He’s not dead at the moment! Jon Snow Lives! Long Live Jon Snow! (By the way, it was fun hearing your voice, thanks for recording that.)
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Usually, I can’t stand the sound of my voice but perhaps the accent has muted. It has a very calming influence at work – and I once got a marriage proposal from a complete stranger based on my accent – what? David Benioff’s wife said she would divorce him if he killed off Jon Snow. 🙂
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Glad your back and feeling better❣
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Thank you for your kind wishes.
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Charleston is a lovely city. I wrote about our trip there last fall. There’s a little mystery theatre in town you should check out if you have time. And check out a plantation. Have fun, Kerry.
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Hi Clare. I saw the mystery theater but it was a short trip and I was obsessed with the water and cemeteries. I had so much fun!
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Kerry, I really like that city. We were there during the flooding and they still managed to deal with it all in a gracious manner. Hmmmm? Water and cemeteries????
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I noticed a few graves were raised (a la New Orleans) but I think flooding must be unusual. The residents were very gracious and charming. I don’t think I could live there, though, I would miss my overly friendly Texans.
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The town was under water and people were using boats to navigate the streets. But they managed to clear it all up in a few days. And yes, even southern hospitality is no match for Texan exuberance. I’m glad you enjoyed your brief excursion. I found the old plantations very beautiful and filled with history of a very different era.
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Next time I will visit plantations.
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So much history there and the docents are wonderful.
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Glad to “See” you back in top form! 😉 not that I was looking at your form….
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Look all you like! Thank you, John and it’s good to be back.
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😮
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Aren’t you the healthy Granola kid on the block. Good for you for taking care of yourself
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Thank you – I have been a good girl but flax seed tastes like bird food. 😦
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You’ll do good on twitter
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You mean my comments are short and stupid! 🙂
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No not at all. You wrote I have been a good girl but flax seed tastes like bird food.😦
Tastes like bird seed therefore I put you would do well on twitter. It was a little joke
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Oh, I am such a dumbass – doh! Subtle and clever comments go right over my red neck head. 🙂
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🙂
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chattykerry, welcome back – I have missed you! I am very glad you are feeling better and back online with your blogger friends. I look forward to your telling us about your recent trip. So glad to see you back! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Terry. Looking forward to catching up on all your posts.
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Thanks dear, I am glad you are better, really – I have thought about you many times. 🙂
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That is so sweet and greatly appreciated. I have missed you, too #1. 🙂
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Woohoo! Sooooo glad you are back. 😀
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Thank you my lovely physician friend! I am glad to be back and looking forward to catching up on your blogs. Hugs X
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Great to have you back. It’s not been the same without you – it’s been kind, rational…just kidding! You are a such a positive force in the weird virtual world so welcome back. All best wishes, Nick
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Oh you have such a silver tongue, Nick. 🙂 I missed you two and your 50 words.
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It’s early here – I meant too, not two! 🙂
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Good to have you back and to know you’re feeling better. Glad you took time to heal.
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Thank you Peggy. I do feel much better.
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Glad you’re feeling better hen…. 😉
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I am, thank you Cameron.
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🙂
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wishing you well. 😉
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Thank you so much!
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Welcome back!! I’m so glad you’re feeling better Kerry. Isn’t funny how something as small as an eye can bring you to your knees when in pain?
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When you combine pain with other stressful circumstances, it really does break you. I am still having some discomfort but it is miles better.
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That’s good and you’re right sometimes you have to completely disconnect and when you come back you’re re-energize.
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Going to a different physical environment (by the sea) really helped soothe my eye and distract me from life.
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What I wouldn’t give to go to the ocean but that requires leaving my home haha, so pathetic. But I think I’m going to have to put something on the books for this summer and take my dog with me.
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I think it must be the ozone that is so refreshing but a lake would be just as good.
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Yeah there’s just something about being near a large body of water that’s so soothing.
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Nice to have you back Kerry. Very nice vid – you have retained that soft Scottish brogue haven’t you? The stereotype Scottish accent is the harsh, industrial Glasgow snarl 🙂 Hope you stay well and chatty.
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Thank you so much, Roy. My Nana was rather posh and she would have slapped me had I spoken with a broad Glasgow accent! Then I went to drama class which made me enunciate even more. “My father’s car is a Jaguar”. 🙂
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Welcome back …. we saved your place 🙂
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Thank you so much, Osyth!
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Rest and relaxation is an important part ofour life. We need that just as much as air, water, and food. Welcome back. Be well.
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Thank you!
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Hey Kerry! Welcome back we miss you!
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Thank you so much, Dave.
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You’re welcome Kerry!! 🙂
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