Hi Everyone,
I have a lot of news and almost don’t know where to begin.
So let’s begin with the best news.
Some of you already saw this in my Friday Hot Sales email, but I saw a hand and wrist specialist at Mass(ive) General Hospital Thursday morning.
And the verdict is…
Bone healing visible.
[break open the non-alcoholic champagne!]
The fracture is healing with satisfactory alignment, and both the doctor and OT were pleased with how far I had come in only 22 days.
The really good news is that I am now supposed to begin gentle wrist movement and forearm rotation several times a day. I can also remove the brace for showers and typing.
The bad news?
The exercises hurt like a sunuvabitch.
Still, this is progress.
Typing is definitely easier without the brace getting in the way, although my wrist and forearm are still pretty sore and fatigue easily.
However, I feel vindicated because the (Well-it’s-YOUR-body) doctor I saw two weeks ago wanted to put my minimally displaced fracture into a hard cast. There has been extensive research that fractures like mine have better results with a splint and then getting the joint moving after three weeks if healing is on track.
Meanwhile, I have been icing my wrist faithfully two or three times a day, and I truly believe that’s made a huge difference.
The second piece of news has to do with those Google AI overviews we were just discussing.
You know I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Google practically since day one. I won’t bore you with that; however, lately, things have become much stranger thanks to the Gemini AI overviews Google now places at the top of most search results. I don’t recall anyone asking us if we even wanted that. At the very least, can’t we at least opt-out of it?
(spoiler, the answer is YES, but we’ll get to how in a sec.)
It’s just that the information isn’t always accurate.
A few days ago, I found one of my graphics (above) attached to an AI overview that credited another blogger instead of me.
What? How rude!
Even odder, my actual post was sitting over in the sidebar, partially covered by my opt-in graphic, which had absolutely nothing to do with the article in question.
Below, I made a graphic explaining the strange AI mix-up involving my no-fail paint colors post.
The whole thing is bizarre.
After I mentioned this the other day, a couple of you lovelies sent me articles from other bloggers discussing the same issues, including traffic loss and incorrect AI summaries.
However, one commenter shared a helpful little trick I tested myself.
If you add:
-ai
to the end of your Google search, it suppresses the AI overview.
For example:
When I googled best no-fail paint colors -ai
I received the traditional list of search results without the Gemini AI overview summary sitting on top.
At least for now, it works surprisingly well.
And finally…
My interior design business, Laurel Bern Interiors, Inc., officially turns 30 years old this month.
Thirty years.
Naturally, I had grand intentions of doing something huge to celebrate.
And boy, did I ever.
Hahahahaha!
Unfortunately, “huge” turned out to involve a lot of pain and inconvenience.
Still, despite the recent events personally and in business, I feel incredibly grateful.
This blog has been part of my life for nearly half that time, and many of you have been here for years. Some of you for over a decade. That means more to me than I can say.
Over the years, several readers have asked whether there’s a way to support the blog directly, but aside from purchasing my interior design guides and using the affiliate links, I toyed with creating a membership site years ago, but it was problematic for a variety of reasons.
However, the online landscape has changed dramatically, so I finally set this up…
(It was also a wonderful OT exercise!)
This is the gag graphic because of the line at the bottom. There will be a clickable button at the end of the post. And, yes, I created the graphic with several images and a paint program I found online. Then, the words and final edits were on Picmonkey.
And one final thing.
Please hang on with me for a bit longer while I regain my strength.
I am currently working on one of the most pressing topics in kitchen renovation, and I think it’s going to be a good one.
In the meantime, thank you again for all of your kind wishes, encouragement, and support.
xo,
***Please check out the recently updated HOT SALES
Enjoying Laurel Bern Interiors?
You can buy me a coffee below. ☕
You will see an option to buy one, three or five coffees. (or more!) And, if so inclined, it can be a monthly gift. Whatever you can manage is appreciated more than I can say. And if it’s not feasible, of course, that’s okay too.
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Kitchen Lights – You’d Think This Would Be Easy.
My Etsy Chinoiserie Grifter Story + Stolen Designs & Pics!
The Killer Spiral Staircase Alternative You Will Love
A Dazzling Ralph Lauren Room & How to Get the Look!
A South African Dream Home Is A Labor Of Love
The Hidden Truth About Paint That No One Ever Told You
11 Responses
Congratulations! I enjoy your writing so much. Best wishes.
Perhaps you could host interested readers for chocolate cake and tea at your place, followed by an architecture tour of some sort, antiquing, etc. Remember how delighted you were to meet Ben Pentreath? Some of us would be as delighted to meet you. Holly Holden hosted interested readers at her home (twice) for a luncheon/ house tour. The guests paid a fee and travelled at their own expense. Food for thought.
Good to hear you are mending! I’ve been following just a few years. I enjoy your posts Even though I don’t plan to do any more remodels for a while. Where is your Amazon button? I had to go drag up an old post to find it before I added to my cart.
Dear Laurel, I found you in early 2018 when another design blogger mentioned you in a post. I will be forever grateful that I clicked on the link in her post and found you! It’s not too much to say that you have changed my life! I have become so much more interesting in interior design, and our home has become more beautiful and feels more like ME :] Congratulations on your 30th blogiversary – such a milestone! Thank you for the wrist update. Sending prayers for your continued healing. Laurel, you’re the best!
I think I’ve been following for more than 10 of those years. I don’t remember how I found you but I’m so grateful! You have definitely influenced my style in decorating. And thanks for the tip on engineered hardwood. I put it down in my condo and I love it. But there’s so much noise about vinegar/ no vinegar etc. I did try Murphy oil soap and was immediately unhappy. So I’m definitely using your recipe!!!! Glad you’re getting better. Having had 2 hip and 2 knee replacements and shoulder problems I know how good news helps in the process. Keep the faith do your physio and you will do well!! Thanks Marianne
Thirty years! You’ve endured, persevered, enlightened and delighted. Congratulations and thank you. I don’t comment often, though I am always enjoying and appreciating your massive body of work. Best wishes on the continued healing of your wrist.
Six years ago l was surfing the net (in vogue idealistic language at the time) finding you has changed my life in decorating and clothing, my son’s relatable stories to your sons. I renovated my bathroom and laundry and assisted others. I stopped all social media for awhile and first on return list was you.
Congratulations on 30 successful years of treating us to your wonderful decor style and your humor. Many wishes for a second 30!
Keep up the good work on that wrist. It will pay off!
Laurel, I too have had an illness and injury recently and dropped off the face of the earth to deal with everything. As a result, I didn’t realize you were injured. I’m so sorry, but I’m impressed with how well you are following advice and progressing.
Congratulations on your BIG anniversary! I have several blogs to catch up on, but I look forward to that assignment.
Take care! e
Congratulations on 30 years!! I think I’ve been with you through 1/2 of those…even tho I’ve had to use several emails to keep your blog coming! LOL So glad you’re feeling a bit better!!
So glad to read about your progress with the injury, Laurel. Modern medicine certainly believes in getting things moving again as soon as possible, to reduce recovery time, even though it does involve more commitment and work by the patient. And you’ve certainly been doing everything right!
Congratulations too on the 30 years and on the duration of the blog, looking forward to the next (30?) years!