Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Hi Book Buds,

I feel like I should apologize for being a terrible host. I wish I was keeping up better and making our group more interactive and fun.

I'm not the complaining woe-is-me sort; I prefer optimism and silver linings. However, I will share a bit of my overwhelming life. Some of you already know that I had an episode that was traumatic at work and shortly after the stress and PTSD took a toll on my health that I am still reeling from. I do suffer from multiple autoimmune troubles, have one-have them all. I won't go into detail about all that is not working because it's neither here nor there but the hardest part of my decline is my ability to read or listen to books. I am developing aphasia (mainly it's cognition difficulties with words, whether in print, being heard, or in writing). Unfortunately that is why I have been in my reading slump. It's being unable to comprehend and retain these stories that I so badly want to experience. That is why I feel so frustrated, insecure, and intimidated with our club.

I know this platform is about books but until I can return to what my "norm" was or become comfortable with my "new norm", I want to add mental health and self-love and self-advocacy since that's where my head is currently.

Thank you everyone for sticking with me. And please go easy on me with all my spelling/word use errors. I do my best to edit.

Oh Jennifer, you don't need to apologize for anything!!! I just love hearing from you whenever you are on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ! <3 You, me, all of us are only human and can do only what we can do and when we can and most importantly that we treat ourselves and each other with compassion and gentleness. <3 I love that you want to add mental health and self-love and self-advocacy!!! You are helping so many people who know you or even don't know you and who read your posts here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ! Sending you lots of love and hugs!!! <3 I have been working on my mental health for a few years and am also working on gentleness with myself. I don't think these ever end and it's important to work on these everyday!!! There are a lot of great meditations, talks, and events on the app InsightTimer. I have the free version and will never run out of material. I just listened to a free live yesterday called The Power of Self-Gentleness and it was absolutely lovely! <3

Janice wrote: "Oh Jennifer, you don't need to apologize for anything!!! I just love hearing from you whenever you are on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ! <3 You, me, all of us are only human and can do only what we can do and when we ..."

I love insight timer! It has everything on there. I have the free version too and I don't feel like it's lacking anything. And thank you so much for your encouragement and kind words!

Jennifer wrote: "Janice wrote: "Oh Jennifer, you don't need to apologize for anything!!! I just love hearing from you whenever you are on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ!

I love insight timer! It has everything on there. I have the fr..."

You are so welcome, Jennifer, and you are an encouragement to me as well as to others here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ who are lucky enough to have you as a friend. <3

Here we go with another apology. Covid struck and I was down and out for a long time. Even after all 5 vaccines, I still got hit hard and relapsed with pancreatitis. I'll be slowly updating the group for December.