Getting Centered and Reoriented: I Need Your Help

I just checked in on my blog for the first time since my last post which was oh so long ago. I noticed right away that unfortunately I have lost a few followers during my unfortunate hiatus. I have been taking some time during the last couple of months to try to rest and re-center myself. As you know, if you have read any of my last 4 or 5 posts, my family has been dealing with some health issues involving my father. I am so glad to report that he is doing quite well now. His surgical site has healed very well so he is not currently requiring the extensive dressing changes and wound packings. They finally removed his temporary feeding tube that was in his nose and replaced it with a more permanent peg tube which has helped him to be more comfortable. He is slowly regaining strength and is trying to participate more in his own care and feeding. Now that he and my mom are both feeling more comfortable with his care, I have been able to return home. Now, I can provide my nursing services via telephone, which I do on average about once a day ;). (You know I love you mom and dad).

So now I am slowly trying to get back into my routine. I want to get the blog going again and I have been reading up on all of the Etsy storque and forum posts about blogging and improving blog content. So I am posting this evening to ask for your help. Just prior to my forced hiatus, I had developed a blog plan which I was attempting to incorporate. What I would like from you guys is suggestions.

What do you look for in the blogs you follow?
Why did you choose to follow MY blog?
Please help me out here guys. Help me to get my flow going again. I am open to all suggestions so let them rip.

Thanks so very much.

New Photography Shop

Hi all,
Hope all are doing well. Still trying to get back on track here. Trying to get my strength back after helping with dad. He is doing pretty well. He finally got rid of the feeding tube in his nose and they put a permanent feeding tube directly into his stomach. It was an outpatient surgery and everything seems to be going well so far. I think he feels much better not having that constant irritation in his nose and throat. I think now he will be able to do better with his swallowing exercises and hopefully learn to eat again, in time.

In the meantime, I would really appreciate it if you all would take a look at my friends new Photography and Art shop on etsy. She takes some really great photos and alters some of them into some awesome artistic representations of her original photos. I would really love your feedback on the shop and any ideas or suggestions that you may have. She is considering using her photos on other items that could be multi-functional, but isn't really sure as to what others would find most useful. What would you all suggest? Thanks for your input and for taking a look.

 As for my shop, things are still sort of on pause until I can regain enough strength to start producing again. Please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks a bunch. Have a wonderful day.

Wow! Its been over a month since my last post. First of all Happy New Year to all. I hope everyone had a great Christmas Holiday. The holiday celebrations were postponed around here because it was just too crazy trying to help take care of dad and everything to do the traveling, cooking, baking, etc. Besides, its sort of hard to cook a big celebration dinner and such when you know how bad dad wants to eat but can't. So we have decided that we will have a big get together and celebrate when he can eat and enjoy everything with us.
I am finally at home for the time being. He and mom are doing pretty good with his care now that all of the surgery sites have healed and the trach is gone. The only thing left now is the feeding tube which is about to drive him nuts. I know that he can't wait to get rid of that thing. Unfortunately, the speech therapist said it would have to stay until he can safely swallow enough to maintain his weight and nutritional needs. Hopefully it won't be too much longer.
I am trying to get motivated enough to get back to the shop and get some jewelry pieces made. The stress and physical demands of caring for dad and being away from home for over a month  has really got me down physically. I am really exhausted and my arthritis and colitis are both flaring up really bad. Maybe I will be able to get back on schedule soon. In the meantime I appreciate everyone's kind wishes and prayers. Hope to talk to you all again soon.

Wonderful News

Well we made yet another trip to Winston Salem yesterday for a follow up appointment for dad. The surgeons feel that he is progressing very well. They gave him instructions to begin plugging his trach 24 hours a day and to try to melt ice chips in his mouth and swallow them. If he does well this week with having the trach plugged at all times and can swallow the ice chips without aspirating they plan to remove his trach next week when we go back on Monday. That will be such a wonderful thing for him to get rid of the trach. Then the next step will be to learn to swallow foods safely without aspirating anything and then he can finally eat again. I must say that God is Great. He has blessed us so much throughout this whole experience and I must give Him all the praise and glory.
I am so proud of my dad as well. He has done so well and is working so very hard to get well. I just pray that he will be able to continue to progress. I just wanted to give a quick update. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hopefully I will be able to get back to doing the featured shop posts and blog giveaways soon. Have a great day.