Paula, are you still among us? Please let us know you are OK.

6 years ago

It is with some trepidation that I write this... in the event my worries are unfounded but wading into deep emotional waters nevertheless... in the hopes to reach out to Paula aka Ilovetogrow and also to comment on the continuance of the Alphabet that so many of us love and look forward to.

I have been concerned, since 2015 that Paula may have suffered a great, personal tragedy. I hope I am so wrong but had an immediate gut reaction to her dedication of the 2015 Alphabet but I sadly did not think to reach out to her and it has stuck with me all this time. Paula's posts since then have been extremely scarce and I think we were extremely fortunate when she graciously agreed to take it on yet again in 2016.

I have attempted to seek her out in a "Hey, Paula" thread but failed to capture her attention. Another forum member also tried this year as well but to no avail so far - it seems neither of our attempts were successful. Now Dave and others are reaching out to Paula yet still no word from her.

I hope I am wrong about the possible circumstances surrounding her absence and if I am, I am sincerely sorry to have brought this up in such a public fashion. But it is worrisome not to have heard from her by now. She is missed by so many of us...and not just for facilitating the Alphabet.

Paula has accumulated so many TC hostas and a lot of them are at least 5 years old now. I miss seeing her pictures of their growth and progress every year - I think of her as our resident Queen of the Lakesides! She has so many and is an avid Lakeside advocate.... making me one too in the process! :-)

Paula, if you see this, could you please pop in and say hello? We miss you.

__________________________________________

RE: The 2017 Alphabet --- In the event we do not hear from Paula within the next few weeks, and we want the Alphabet to start on December 26th, I suggest we have a plan B in place - a volunteer to start the Alphabet.

Paula did a fantastic job, year after year and we just assumed she would do it again but it may not be fair to have that expectation of her, or of anyone else for that matter, year after year....unless of course they don't mind and opt to run this event consecutively.

I would love to volunteer but I hesitate to start it knowing I would not be able to finish it due to travel in January and February.

I've opened the discussion - now it's over to you all for input. Let's hear your thoughts.

Jo (quite absent this past season but still hanging on).

Featured Answer

Tiddisolo Wales UK

6 years ago

Well said Jo. I do hope Paula reads this and knows how much we miss her and are praying she finds strength in our best wishes for her.

The Alphabet is very much a secondary concern and I'm sure we can come up with a plan should she be unwilling to take it on.

Maybe we could just take on a letter or two each, agreed upon before the start so we don't double up on posts. Some letters would be easier than others as far as pictures are concerned but if you don't have pictures for a letter it's no problem. As long as the post is started after an appropriate interval from the previous one that's all that's required.

If anyone wants to do the whole thing please feel free to volunteer.

Dave

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Comments (15)

bkay2000
6 years ago
I think we had a similar discussion last year. Someone reached on via Facebook and she posted that she had been collecting jokes all year for the alphabet and intended to do it. You might search for a thread about this time last year with Paula in the subject line to see who it was that knew how to reach her via Facebook.

She implied that her son passed last year. Or, at least that's what I surmised. She also mentioned that she had some problems with her hosta.

She may or may not be planning to host the series this year. I did not expect her to host last year, as she had already quit posting on a regular basis.

Have you tried to reach her via private message on gardenweb/Houzz?

bkay
josephines167 z5 ON Canada thanked bkay2000
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bkay2000
6 years ago
I would suggest a back-up plan. She didn't enable the email function on her profile page. I searched for 30 minutes or so for that post from last year. I tried searching for every combination I could think of to get to the November 2016 postings. Unless someone knows how or who might be able to reach her through Facebook, I'm out of ideas.

bkay
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
6 years ago
Jo that was a nice shout out to Paula. I think we all miss her posting year round. Last year she posted I believe just a little before the Alphabet and then got called out on an emergency so started later in the day than usual. She had been collecting jokes all year and did a fabulous job as always. This year will be my 4th Alphabet so I have never done it without Paula. I feel (hope) that she will show up with her jokes and Hostas ready to roll.

bkay I PM'ed Paula on Tuesday after Jo posted and the message was sent successfully. I have not heard back but she could just be busy. When you go onto her profile the message box is enabled.
josephines167 z5 ON Canada thanked peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
Babka NorCal 9b
6 years ago
She posted here in March of this year according to her profile page. I just sent a PM too. I hope she is OK.

-Babka
josephines167 z5 ON Canada thanked Babka NorCal 9b
sandyslopes z6 n. UT
6 years ago
Any updates? I can understand if Paula wasn't planning on doing it again, but it's worrisome if she hasn't been in touch with anyone. She knows we start looking for her this time of year.
ilovetogrow z9 Jax Florida
6 years ago
Hello It is I Paula aka ilovetogrow. I still have leaves on some of my remaining hostas. This year has been crazy for me. I lost 2 computers and my backup will no talk to any of the new computers so I lost most of my jokes.

New to me this December I discovered I have breast cancer. I will have surgery on the 29 of December. I am lucky as we found this early, very early. My nodes look real good so I will have a lumpectomy and core biopsy's of my nodes.

So I am going to be off work for a while and oh heck yes LETS DO AN ALAPHABET!!!! I may be late some mornings not at my usual 4:30am as I am going to sleep in some. This will also aid in my recovery.

Merry Christmas everyone.

oh BTW when was your last mammogram?
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hello Paula. So sorry to hear of the breast cancer, but very glad it was discovered so early. I wish you the very best outcome. I hope you will update us as to your progress.

It is very sweet that you have returned and are willing to do the alphabet even though you are having surgery---you are a brave girl!

I thought perhaps you had moved on to other hobbies (obsessions? LOL). Glad to know that you still have hostas.
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Paula the only thing better than not having cancer is finding it early. At least your doctor has put on the fast track. So happy that you are back with us.

Sleep and Hostas are a great way to help one recovery.
Babka NorCal 9b
6 years ago
Yippee! You had us all very worried. You will be fine, and I speak from experience here, Stage 2a lumpectomy back in 2009. Mammograms save lives.

-Babka
sandyslopes z6 n. UT
6 years ago
It's nice to "see" you, Paula! How good of you to think of reminding others to get their mammograms. I'm glad yours was caught early and wish for you to have a speedy recovery and get it all behind you.

So nice that you still want to do the alphabet. Yay!
zkathy z7a NC
6 years ago
So glad you still want to play with us! Your health crisis will pass and we’ll all be laughing and marveling at beautiful hostas. Good luck with your surgery.
Karin Black Cat
6 years ago
Paula, you have the attitude to win your fight! Thanks for coming back with the alphabet even in hard times. Merry Christmas and fingers crossed for your surgery!
Tiddisolo Wales UK
6 years ago
Paula, have a great Christmas and a speedy recovery from your surgery.

So pleased you have decided to run the alphabet again.

I will be thinking of you on the 29th.

The power of positive thought is an amazing thing.

Dave
josephines167 z5 ON Canada thanked Tiddisolo Wales UK
josephines167 z5 ON Canada
Original Author
6 years ago
I am so sorry to be so late in acknowledging my joy at finding that you are back among us again, Paula. It has been several weeks...maybe close to months since I've remembered to check in on the forum. Another death in the family - my dear mother-in-law, in her 99th year. She was declining for awhile and passed away the day before your surgery, Paula.

I am relieved for you that your surgery went well and that you are on the road to recovery. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going"! You are an inspiration to us all and your indomitable spirit is that of a warrior. Your sense of humour is aces and I'm sure you have many of us laughing our heads off regularly... like earlier tonight when I finally logged into the forum. You seem to wear it like a second skin. God Bless You.

I ran away from our brutal winter and arrived back in Dubai on the 2nd, will be languishing here visiting my daughter for three weeks --- the garden centre beckons....on the hunt for hostas, what else? My daughter has lots of garden space, weather is perfect for me, (no snow nor temps of -24C - only sunny skies, balmy breezes, sandy beach and plus24 temps!) Wish you could recuperate here.... this sunrise is for you.

My bedroom view

...and a neglected pot outside my door that needs some greenery to greet me mornings. Huge pot, hmmmm a large, sun-glutton hosta....

2017 was not a good hosta year for me, a neglected garden so I have nothing much to contribute towards the alphabet. Instead I will just enjoy viewing and catching up a bit. Photos are gorgeous, hostas are gorgeous! Jokes are outstanding! More, more, more of everything please! :-)

All the best, Paula for a speedy recovery and treat yourself with care. I join all of my fellow forum members in sending you the warmest of wishes.

A very Happy New Year, Everyone! May 2018 find us all buying more hostas - we have to reciprocate... Karin from Germany has been carrying us during 2017, well...me, anyway. LOL! ;-)

Jo.

Paula, are you still among us? Please let us know you are OK.

Tiddisolo Wales UK

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