To Each His Own...

All of the Christmas decorations were taken down December 26th. This morning I added the finishing touches to the shelf over my kitchen sink window. My sister is coming over in just a bit to help me clean up the house so I don't overdo it. I also have to do the grocery shopping so I won't worry about that for a while during my recovery.

The family drama that buuilt up to an explosion on Christmas Eve continues to bring forth hurt feelings. It seems that this person is determined to push away his family. One day he will realize his mistakes, but it may be too late by then. He's burning bridges and making choices that will negatively impact his future. I know you can not help anyone who doesn't want help. All we can do is stand by and watch the devastation unfold. Some choose to learn the hard way...by experience.

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."
~Confucius

To each his own...

Today I went to the hospital for pre-op. I recently found out I had a huge ovarian cyst (10cm) and uterine fibroids. The cyst is the cause of the pain I have been in for well over a year now. The doctor was going to only remove that one ovary and do a biopsy on my cervix because I had an abnormal pap. I emailed my doctor and requested a hysterectomy because I only have insurance now while Alfred is deployed and if I needed future surgeries I would be uninsured. My thought was it was better to get it all out now in one surgery while I have the insurance - given the problems I have had.

The doctor is going to go ahead and do the hysterectomy on Thursday....I may even have my appendix removed and possibly the right ovary....it all depends on a test they will run during surgery and how everything looks when they open me up.

If it looks like cancer....she will close me up immediately and will send me to a GYN Oncologist within a month to have them do it because they have more experience, as far as staging goes. However, she doesn't *think* that will happen, but you never know for sure until they open you up.

They are cutting from the belly-button down. I'll have to have a tube down my throat and a catheter the day of the surgery. I could be in the hospital as long as until Saturday night....but I am gonna try to be out of there Friday morning. I have to be able to walk, eat, pee and manage pain control before they will release me. I, of course, am hoping to get out there ASAP.

I want to be home in my own comfy bed so I can rest and be able to talk to my husband on Skype. So if you don't hear from me for a while, it will be because I am recovering. I am looking forward to being pain-free again!



Can I admit to you, dear reader, that I am glad Christmas is over? Christmas day was nice but the days leading up to it were filled with stress, worry and family drama. It has left me exhausted physically and emotionally. I will be having surgery Thursday so perhaps I can rest then since I will physically unable to do much?

Yesterday I took down all of my Christmas decorations and packed them up. I must put them in the storage building today. I am ready to say good-bye to 2011 and usher in the New Year. The New Year brings with it 365 days of promise, expectation, hope renewed and a blank slate in which to write a new chapter in our lives.

I pray that this last week in December is filled with blessings for you. May you live each and every day to the fullest and forget not to notice and pay gratitude to the simple things in life.

Finding My Voice

As a little girl, Mama always taught me to use my manners and be polite. The problem comes in when you are afraid to say what you really think out of fear of hurting someone's feelings, making someone mad, or overextending yourself because you want everyone to think well of you. What usually happens is we become tired, resentful, and develop a martyr complex.

I'm learning to say no.

No, I don't want company...

No, I can not help with the whatever it is...

No, no, no, no, NO!

I don't go out of my way to be mean to people, but I am not going to stand by silently seething because I feel put upon by others needs and expectations. I no longer care if I ruffle feathers or make you mad. I have boundaries and if you don't like it....it's your problem.

I am finding my voice and it is freeing!



A Busy Day

I had a fairly busy day. Washed dishes, vacuumed, and cleaned the master bath. Then Kayla and I went out for lunch at Danny's Fried Chicken, where I used to work. All of my siblings work there and that is one of my son's two jobs. I was able to visit a bit with Shelly and Chelsea since it was after lunch rush.

After lunch, we went through the car wash and I vacuumed out my car. I love it when my car is all clean and sparkly - inside and out! I could have washed and vacuumed the car at home and saved the $10 I spent, but I was growing tired and still had grocery shopping and other errands to run. Sometimes, it's best to spend the money to free up time and save my energy...

Grocery shopping is not my favorite thing in the world to do. I find it incredibly tiring with loading and unloading groceries in and out of the buggy and then in and out of the car. But it is a duty that simply must be done. I went to the store where Mama works and got to see and talk to her for a few minutes.

With the shoping done, I had a bill to pay then we went to Lowe's to buy a new filter for my ShopVac. Lowe's offers a 10% military discount every day if you show your i.d. I saved $1.36 - but every penny helps and it adds up.

For our last stop, we ventured into the dollar store to buy dangly earring and a hair clip for Kayla. We have a family Christmas dinner to attend tomorrow and the girls have new outfits (dresses) to wear and, I, a new red blouse. I'll be sure to take a few pictures to share with you, dear reader.

While doing the grocery shopping I picked up baking supplies so the girls and I can do a little holiday baking this coming week. There is simply nothing better than homebaked goodies! We will listen to Christmas music, talk and laugh as we reminisce of Christmases past and look expectantly forward to this Christmas.

May you have a night of pleasant dreams...

Health & Home

The weather has warmed up once again. It is 72 degrees but cloudy. I wish the sun was out to get rid of the chill I have in my bones despite the warm temperature.

I am getting a much needed haircut today and afterwards am taking the girls to a local nature preserve. It is free and will get us out of the house for a bit.

I met with a different doctor yesterday. I am scheduled for surgery December 29th to remove my left ovary which a 10cm cyst on it. Since the cyst is so large, it will be an abdominal incision. She will also do a coloscopy to see if the abnormal cells are cancerous. Pray it is not! Estimated recovery time is four weeks. I think I may just go mad!

Thankfully my kids are all older and will be here to help take care of me and I have family close by, too.What's going to be hard is keeping Zeus off of me. At 100 pounds, he doesn't realize how big and strong he is. He thinks he is a lap dog! He likes to sit and lay on us!

(This is Zeus laying across my legs in bed!)

Over the next two weeks I need to get as much housework and meal planning done to make it easier on myself and the kids. I will be glad when this is all said and done and I can get back to normal life!

Hope you have a blessed day!

***

Blessings:

~ I will have no out of pocket expenses with this surgery! That is a huge relief right there!

~ Getting my haircut. This makes me happy because I have a great hairstylist and a short and sassy do is so easy to care for.

~ Pain meds that help eliminate my pain pre-surgery.

~ I shared with Alfred my decorating plans and colors and he liked it! Why? Because there was no pink involved! Ha!

~ Clearing out clutter with FlyLady. 

Happiness is....

a stack of new books to read FREE from the library!

Happy Reading!

Gratitude and Childlike Faith

This week I am thankful for:

~ Skype for I can talk to and see my husband while he is overseas.

~ Having a warm house to shelter our bodies from the elements as well as the outside world.

~ Letting go and letting God.

~ Cozy Winter doings such as sipping hot cocoa, Christmas music and movies, parades, fleece blankets, warm robes, family get togethers, comfort foods....

~ Lessons in patience and gratitude.

***

"But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these children." ~ Matthew 19:14

I have struggled much in my faith. I have a tendency to over-analyze and makes things harder than what they need to be. But Jesus doesn't ask us to do all of this.

He simply asks us to come to Him and believe.

Like little children.

Little children have such great faith. They are easily awestruck. They live in the moment and are trusting. They are uninhibited. They will dance and sway to music, sing their little hearts out, laugh with wild abandon, and shed tears without embarrassment. And when they are hurt, they run to Mama and Daddy for comfort.

We need to become like little children. We need to run to our Father in Heaven when we are hurt. He is the great Comforter. He longs to ease our burdens and show us His love. He will never leave us or forsake us. We just have to believe.

 Lord, please forgive me for my lack of faith, my doubts, and my cynicism. Give me the heart and the faith of a child, and help me to believe You for all the good things You desire to give me. Thank You that Your answers to my prayers will be a powerful testimony to others of Your love and grace!  

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Happiness is...

scented candles. This one is called Jack Frost.

***

It is definitely feeling more like Winter here in south Alabama. The trees are now mostly bare and often the skies are gray. These we get much more wind than we do in the summer when we need it most!

It has been a cozy day puttering around my home. A lovely sort of day really. Dinner is already done and there is a chocolate cake baking in the oven as we speak. There are scented candles glowing in the kitchen and dining room. No rushing needed. I took my time and enjoyed the time I spent on tending to my home.

I plan to spend my evening watching a movie and reading new books I borrowed from the library. Oh, and let's not forget savoring a piece of cake with a glass of milk.

Hope your evening is peaceful!

Fashion: My Kind of Style

As far as fashion goes, I am loving the comfy chic look these days. Not that my wardrobe looks anything like this *yet*, but I plan to update it piece by piece. My criteria are to only buying things I *love*, that are in my super colors and make me look fabulous.

I love this outfit. It's bright & cheerful and would be perfect to run eraands in during the Christmas season!

Gray is my favorite neutural color. I like the pop of color the teal brings to the outfit.

Navy and Peridot. I'm not a green person, but I am kinda digging this...

Cute Cranberry. This would also make a lovely holiday outfit!

I just simply love this one. The pops of berry color drew me in.

Navy and gray - classic neutral colors. You simply can't go wrong with those two.

All images were taken from Pinterest.

You haven't heard of it?

Dah-ling! You don't know what you're missing!



Home Style: Inspiration

I am finding my taste in style and home decor are changing. I am no longer the pink frou-frou girl. I am more drawn to a white, black, gray, and silver palette.

Love the wallpaper and think it would look nice on one wall instead of all four. I am also digging the brocade curtains.

I love the simplicity of this room with its black & white color scheme...

Like the gray and dark wood, but the orange has got to go! A raspberry, blue or lavendar would be nice as an accent color though.



Drawn to the artwork in this one and the area rug.

Love the geometric pattern on this pillow. Matching curtains would be interesting.



Simple, simple, simple.....and the zebra rug ain't too shabby either!

Now the rug I really want is freakin' gorgeous, but pricy! I'll have to save my pennies for this one. You can view it here.

What do you think?

Some may think the colors I have chosen are depressing, but I think they are rather sophisticated and chic. Can't wait to start making the changes around here. That is going to have to wait until after the New Year. Until then, I will dream and plan and hunt for beautiful items for my home.

My brave husband has begun his trek overseas for a year. Though being apart is never easy, it is necessary at this time. The good thing we will get to talk and see each other via Skype. He will get to come for two weeks for R&R sometime next year, but I can't wait until he is home for good.

Christmas 2012 will be a celebration to remember....you can bet your bottom dollar!

Happiness is...

chocolate peppermint cookies!

Christmas Decorating

I usually do all my decorating for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. It didn't happen this year. The girls and I made these gorgeous snowflakes and the 3D snowflake to adorn our picture window. I love how it turned out!

The reason I waited so late to do my decorating was because I ordered this gorgeously, full artificial tree from Christmas Trees Galore. It is 7.5 feet tall and I love it!

I had originally planned to tuck in the corner (see picture below) where the lamp glow is, but it was too full and I worried the dogs would run into it and knock it over. So I rearranged the living room.



 

I separated my sectional into two pieces to allow room in front of the picture window for the tree. 

This is where I originally wanted the tree, but this corner looks cozy now with part of the sofa, small table with Santa and a plant my sister gave me.

Dollar store Santa I've hadfor several years...

Kenzie had the idea to put my Christmas town up on the shelf in the kitchen. We bought cotton batting "snow" to drape over the shelf and books added to give a little height. The trees are pieces of the Christmas tree that inadvertedly broke off during set up. I added the Christmas plate, candy container and faux plant. I love how it turned out!

Thank you for stopping by my Enchanted Cottage!



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There comes a time when it's a good idea to step out of your comfort zone and try something different. I have long struggled with fear, lack of confidence and abandonment issues. So I will be starting therapy very soon. I get twelve ssessions free. Maybe that will be enough. If not, I'd be willing to pay for sessions if I felt it was helping.

I am ready for change and to be free from the ties that bind. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds!