Chasing the Elusive Dream
Viewing comments for Chapter 36 "When It Rains, It Pours"A southern couple's journey in the 60's,70's & 80'
48 total reviews
Comment from patwannabe
The ongoing saga of Beth Shelby and her wonderous family, all generations. Beth, I love your stories. You do a great job of painting the pictures for the whole world to see. Most enjoyable, even when it's a tragedy to you :-). Take care, pat
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2009
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The ongoing saga of Beth Shelby and her wonderous family, all generations. Beth, I love your stories. You do a great job of painting the pictures for the whole world to see. Most enjoyable, even when it's a tragedy to you :-). Take care, pat
Comment Written 05-Jul-2009
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2009
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Thanks Pat, I so glad you enjoy my stories. My life hasn't been totally boring things to all the many things my brood get themselves into.
Beth
Comment from DecrepitOldBag
Bloody hell, Beth! And you think I'm a survivor!
Good grief! I was supposed to have a D&C a few weeks after Uther was born. I was too afraid of surgery; I had a blood transfusion and hormone pills; didn't work. In desperation I went to a homeopath - like you I was bleeding to death. She gave me Lamium 6. Bleeding stopped completely within 24 hours! That's such a scary thing, being weak and bleeding like that. You can eat as much spinach as you like, it makes sod all difference and you feel like shit all the time.
I think you're incredibly brave to go ahead with surgery; I'm glad it fixed you. But then you had the smoking remains of your house to contend with. What a good job you were insured! At least you got a 3 month renatl house through the rebuild and remodelling.
Poor Connie, she must have felt dreadful! That's enough to put anyone in therapy!
I personally, think you're a saint. If that had happened to me, I'd have been out of that hospital bed and away home, not having enough faith that anyone else could deal with it. You're a lucky woman; you've a superb family and a wonderful forgiving nature - not to mention sense of humour to go along with it.
Hats off to you, not a spag in sight, a very entertaining read, written in such a way that, despite the horror, it raised a chuckle, if only at the sheer improbability of events. You sure are disaster-prone! I'm so glad you've survived family life.
Warmest wishes and hugs
Kat
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2009
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Bloody hell, Beth! And you think I'm a survivor!
Good grief! I was supposed to have a D&C a few weeks after Uther was born. I was too afraid of surgery; I had a blood transfusion and hormone pills; didn't work. In desperation I went to a homeopath - like you I was bleeding to death. She gave me Lamium 6. Bleeding stopped completely within 24 hours! That's such a scary thing, being weak and bleeding like that. You can eat as much spinach as you like, it makes sod all difference and you feel like shit all the time.
I think you're incredibly brave to go ahead with surgery; I'm glad it fixed you. But then you had the smoking remains of your house to contend with. What a good job you were insured! At least you got a 3 month renatl house through the rebuild and remodelling.
Poor Connie, she must have felt dreadful! That's enough to put anyone in therapy!
I personally, think you're a saint. If that had happened to me, I'd have been out of that hospital bed and away home, not having enough faith that anyone else could deal with it. You're a lucky woman; you've a superb family and a wonderful forgiving nature - not to mention sense of humour to go along with it.
Hats off to you, not a spag in sight, a very entertaining read, written in such a way that, despite the horror, it raised a chuckle, if only at the sheer improbability of events. You sure are disaster-prone! I'm so glad you've survived family life.
Warmest wishes and hugs
Kat
Comment Written 05-Jul-2009
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2009
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Kat, My story of survival is not even close to the caliber of yours. I'm certainly no saint. I do believe I might not have survived if I hadn't had something done. I had to be extremely weak to consider a D & C. I actually had two of them about a year apart but I never did consent to the hystorectomy. I finally found a doctor who was willing to give me a mild birth-control pill and the hormone in that was enough to do the trick. My doctor tired to make me eat liver. Gag! I perferred death. Thanks for reviewing and the kind words.
Beth
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Eeeeewwwww LIVER! How revolting, definitely a fate worse than death!
Comment from Annelisa
Gee, Beth, You've had the most "interesting" life. I feel Like I should apologize for laughing at parts of the story but you painted it so well I can hear your daughter yelling "What's the number to 911? Quick, tell me the number to 911!"
I do hope your life is much calmer now!
Annelisa
Onr typo:
superbowl. I think should be capitalized.
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2009
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Gee, Beth, You've had the most "interesting" life. I feel Like I should apologize for laughing at parts of the story but you painted it so well I can hear your daughter yelling "What's the number to 911? Quick, tell me the number to 911!"
I do hope your life is much calmer now!
Annelisa
Onr typo:
superbowl. I think should be capitalized.
Comment Written 05-Jul-2009
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2009
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Thank you, Please don't apologize. I love it when some one finds it amusing. I find it a amusing now, and Christi will never live down that wanting the number to 911 but Connie still gets up tight when someone calls her a firebug.
Beth
Comment from WRITER1
GOD BLESS YOU, I WOULD HAVE THROWN IN THAT SMOKY TOWEL. This is a story that I would have thought made up. I am glad that you made it through.
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2009
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GOD BLESS YOU, I WOULD HAVE THROWN IN THAT SMOKY TOWEL. This is a story that I would have thought made up. I am glad that you made it through.
Comment Written 05-Jul-2009
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2009
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Thank you, That is one of those times my daughter would like to forget. She cringes when I mention she tried to burn the house down. We laugh about it now but she doesn't see the humor in it.
Beth
Comment from Belinda
My goodness, Beth, what a story. Sorry, what a true story. You describe it so well it is as if it happened just yesterday. I'm glad you and your family managed to handle all the mess and came back whole. It's good for you to share it with the rest of us, It is indeed a story of bravery and perseverance. And what witty ending...
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2009
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My goodness, Beth, what a story. Sorry, what a true story. You describe it so well it is as if it happened just yesterday. I'm glad you and your family managed to handle all the mess and came back whole. It's good for you to share it with the rest of us, It is indeed a story of bravery and perseverance. And what witty ending...
Comment Written 04-Jul-2009
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2009
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Thank you Belinda. I appreciate the review and you nice comments.
Beth
Comment from Janelle
This is a great story Beth. It just needs a little attention to detail and will really shine.
My suggestions, offered with respect and as constructive criticism only are;
I was physically at my worse. - should be worst.
I hated my job, but that was minor compared to the problems I was experiencing heath-wise. - minor what? You need to clarify, such as; a minor irritation, (or inconvenience) compared to......
We made it back to New Orleans, where we were living at the time, late on Christmas Day. - This sentence is too disjointed and spoils the flow of the piece. I suggest; We made it back to our home in New Orleans, late on Christmas Day. (Where we were living at the time, is a given).
Once I got there, the doctor decided he needed to go into my uterus and do a Dilation and Curettage, or what is commonly referred to as a D and C. - This is way too much information. I don't believe 'go into my uterus' is required as it is too graphic and you have already stated your health issues related to your 'female problems'. Perhaps something like; 'Once I got there the doctor decided he needed to perform a D and C.'
"What you two up to?, he demanded. - I know that this is probably exactly what he said, but it makes the reader stop and go back and read it again; "What are you two up to?" avoids that.
"Well, go outside and do your girl stuff" - needs a full stop or maybe even an exclamation mark to add emphasis.
"Just get out of the house. I'll call," - should definitely end with an exclamation mark to add to the feeling of urgency.
and they had to stoop low and creep out to .... - crawl would be the right word here. They wouldn't be creeping out in such a situation.
"Let me Daddy, now. I handed the phone over knowing there was trouble. - "Let me speak to daddy now!" is what I think you meant to say.
"O.K., I'll be there in a minute," - should finish with a full stop as it is the end of a sentence.
The house didn't burn to the ground, but one room and most of the attic was completely destroyed - You've ommitted the full stop.
The five of us, and one freaked out cat, which the firemen had managed to rescue, spent it in a single motel room. - This is another sentence that makes the reader go back and re-read. I think if you wrote 'spent those fourteen day in a single motel room.' Adds emphasis to the inconvenience you all suffered and clarifys what you meant by 'spent it'.
We were lucky to get a room at all. All the motel rooms were booked for the superbowl. - I think this should be a single sentence, it fows much better and avoids you using the word 'all' consecutively. i.e. We were lucky to get a room at all, as the majority of motels were booked out for the superbowl. This also negates the need to use the word 'room' twice in the sentence and majority is a better term to use in this context than 'nearly all'.
I really did enjoy your story Beth and felt so sorry for you for having such a difficult time. I liked that you also managed to include some humour i.e. "What's the number for 911?" I bet she'll never live that one down! :)
I would be more than happy to upgrade the level if changes were made. Regards, Jan
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2009
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This is a great story Beth. It just needs a little attention to detail and will really shine.
My suggestions, offered with respect and as constructive criticism only are;
I was physically at my worse. - should be worst.
I hated my job, but that was minor compared to the problems I was experiencing heath-wise. - minor what? You need to clarify, such as; a minor irritation, (or inconvenience) compared to......
We made it back to New Orleans, where we were living at the time, late on Christmas Day. - This sentence is too disjointed and spoils the flow of the piece. I suggest; We made it back to our home in New Orleans, late on Christmas Day. (Where we were living at the time, is a given).
Once I got there, the doctor decided he needed to go into my uterus and do a Dilation and Curettage, or what is commonly referred to as a D and C. - This is way too much information. I don't believe 'go into my uterus' is required as it is too graphic and you have already stated your health issues related to your 'female problems'. Perhaps something like; 'Once I got there the doctor decided he needed to perform a D and C.'
"What you two up to?, he demanded. - I know that this is probably exactly what he said, but it makes the reader stop and go back and read it again; "What are you two up to?" avoids that.
"Well, go outside and do your girl stuff" - needs a full stop or maybe even an exclamation mark to add emphasis.
"Just get out of the house. I'll call," - should definitely end with an exclamation mark to add to the feeling of urgency.
and they had to stoop low and creep out to .... - crawl would be the right word here. They wouldn't be creeping out in such a situation.
"Let me Daddy, now. I handed the phone over knowing there was trouble. - "Let me speak to daddy now!" is what I think you meant to say.
"O.K., I'll be there in a minute," - should finish with a full stop as it is the end of a sentence.
The house didn't burn to the ground, but one room and most of the attic was completely destroyed - You've ommitted the full stop.
The five of us, and one freaked out cat, which the firemen had managed to rescue, spent it in a single motel room. - This is another sentence that makes the reader go back and re-read. I think if you wrote 'spent those fourteen day in a single motel room.' Adds emphasis to the inconvenience you all suffered and clarifys what you meant by 'spent it'.
We were lucky to get a room at all. All the motel rooms were booked for the superbowl. - I think this should be a single sentence, it fows much better and avoids you using the word 'all' consecutively. i.e. We were lucky to get a room at all, as the majority of motels were booked out for the superbowl. This also negates the need to use the word 'room' twice in the sentence and majority is a better term to use in this context than 'nearly all'.
I really did enjoy your story Beth and felt so sorry for you for having such a difficult time. I liked that you also managed to include some humour i.e. "What's the number for 911?" I bet she'll never live that one down! :)
I would be more than happy to upgrade the level if changes were made. Regards, Jan
Comment Written 04-Jul-2009
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2009
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Janelle, Thank you for taking the time to go over my story so carefully and make suggestions for change. I've gone over the story and made the corrections. Some had been made while you were reading it but I liked all your suggestions. I would appreciate if you would recheck and upgrade the rating.
Beth
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Hi Beth, I have upped the three to a five because you have made substantial changes. They have made all the difference, in my opinion. :) Now get some sleep! Regards, Jan
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Thank you once more for taking so much time with my piece. I want to nominate you. and I'm hoping this will give me the option to do so. I;ve made the latest corrections.
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You're more than welcome and thank you sor much for the vote of confidence. Regards, Jan
Comment from Begin Again
Let me Daddy, now. I handed the phone
BethShelby...
I thought only my life with five kids and seven grandkids turned out like this...I actually feel like I might be more norman than I thought.
Sorry that you had so much trouble. It must be terrible to have your house on fire. What didn't burn would smell like smoke and black soot. Ugh!
Glad you are better now.
Carol
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reply by the author on 04-Jul-2009
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Let me Daddy, now. I handed the phone
BethShelby...
I thought only my life with five kids and seven grandkids turned out like this...I actually feel like I might be more norman than I thought.
Sorry that you had so much trouble. It must be terrible to have your house on fire. What didn't burn would smell like smoke and black soot. Ugh!
Glad you are better now.
Carol
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 04-Jul-2009
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2009
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Carol, Thanks for your review and nice comments and for catching the spag. Actually, I left out one of the worst parts which was sorting through and cleaning the smoked up but salvagable treasures. The cleaning service, didn't return many things that I'm sure survived the fire.
Beth
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I hope they can live with themselves. Stealing the few precious memories that you had left. Shame on them! Take care, Carol
Comment from Jean Lutz
But just look at all the things you now have to write about! Now sure going to the hospital for female surgery was much of a vacation, but you did get to rest in bed for a few hours. Been there, done that. ;-) But, hey, it is what turned us into Steel Magnolias.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2009
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But just look at all the things you now have to write about! Now sure going to the hospital for female surgery was much of a vacation, but you did get to rest in bed for a few hours. Been there, done that. ;-) But, hey, it is what turned us into Steel Magnolias.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 04-Jul-2009
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2009
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Thanks Jean, I had to look at your profile to see if your were a Southern lady too but I see you survived Katrina so you must be. I loved that movie "Steel Magnolias. Southern women are pretty tough.
Beth
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Born in Tennessee. If you do a Yahoo or Google search of Doe Creek School, Scotts Hill, Tennessee, you will find the one room school house where I attended school the first three years of my "early childhood education". I really should try to write an ode to that one room school house. It seems you and I switched places. I am now in the New Orleans area and I see you've spent time here, too.
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That is interesting. I did google the school. It is very primitive but I'll bet you have a lot of memories of having gone there as a child. I lived in the Metairie area of New Orleans about 18 years. I have good memories of those times. We were gone before Katrina and I haven't returned since the storm. I'm originally from central Mississippi so I'm Southern all the way.
Beth
