Friday, February 28, 2014

Post Op Day 37


Life is a roller coaster and we've got to learn to take the good with the bad.  Regardless of how 'good' you can be feeling regarding your health, life can still knock you down at times.  I'm so lucky that I got to have Davery in my life for as long as I did, but that doesn't for one second mean that I don't miss him every single day.  Cancer sucks and I hate the fact that it stole him away from me and my family.  He was truly one of a kind.  And tomorrow, I have to put my momma back on a plane to KS...we both need to return to our normal lives, but it sure has been nice having her in TN.  She is also one of a kind and continues to amaze me with her ability to care for others in the midst of her own pain.  All in all, I am one blessed individual.  And again, thanks to everyone that inquired about how my follow-up appt went and for all of your continuing love and support.

My latest Pinterest project and wall art


My canvas flower Pinterest project! So glad I finally got a glue gun! 


Mom helped me finally decorate my bare walls in the living room! 



I think it turned out really well :) 

My 'steroid withdrawal' rash...

These pics aren't the prettiest...but hey, I'd rather have a rash than be on steroids for another single day of my life! 









The Lost Sea Adventure




The biggest underground lake in the US


Took a little boat ride around the lake...it's filled with rainbow trout.



Devil's Hole. The story goes that you see either your mother, your mother in law or your ex's face when you look down in the hole. 


A 'bear's paw' brings you luck if you hug it! 



Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Post Op Day 34


Heading to Cleveland in the AM to see Dr. Gorgun...praying for a good report :)

Monday, February 24, 2014

Post Op Day 33



Had a fun little Saturday with Momma at the biggest natural underground lake in the US, The Lost Sea, in Sweetwater, TN.  Then enjoyed my Saturday night out with Ms. Michelle :) It's so awesome to be steroid free!  First time since Dec. 2011...craziness, huh?!  But God is good!  And I'm praying that I can get some good news for my lil Bear-Bear in the morning too!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

More walking...


Couldn't waste this gorgeous day!! Made me want to play softball, volleyball or heck, even tennis! I pretty much want to do any and all activities that my MD hasn't cleared me to do yet :) haha so typical of me...tell me I can't do something and I want to do it 100 times more! 

The Epic Cupcake Fail!!!



Action shot!! Tossing those bad boys in the trash!

Dinner at Sunspot


Me, Jess, & Brit!


Post Op Day 28


 4 wks out and feelin pretty darn good!!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Post Op Day 26


Such a much better day today...mentally getting back on track.  Trying to remember what Chumbawamba said, "I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down." haha and yes, I'm slightly embarrassed to say that I owned that lil gem of a cd back in the day!  :) 

Butterfly Ring

Our good neighbor Connie sent Momma and I two beautiful butterfly rings. It is made from an actual butterfly! My Grandma Ronnie loved her butterflies and I'll think of her (& sweet Connie) every time I wear it!! 


We've been busy little bees


Trying to decorate my apt...

New ladder/shelf

New unique bottle opener that I fell in love with...just had to have it :) 


Sunday, February 16, 2014

World's Fair Park and the Sunsphere!





It was a pretty day to walk around. We weren't even that disappointed that the Lookout Deck was closed due to construction. Mom just said, 'don't worry...I'll be back for round 2 and we can check it out then!' Oh boy, the thought of two more of these surgeries is sometimes quite daunting...


My handiwork

Post Op Day 25


So...today was a rough day.  I'm not the 'woe is me' type of girl, so I really hate being in this kind of a funk.  I'm bummed. And I hate feeling sorry for myself. But I also knew that I'd have days like today.  Doesn't mean I have to like it.  And I'm hoping that tomorrow is a better day. 

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Post Op Day 22


As a tribute to VDay, I decided to open up about my love life...this was by far the most awkward and hesitant that I have felt during this entire blogging experience. I would much rather talk about sports, the weather, my family and friends. Or heck, I'd even rather talk about my toe jam before I'd actually want to talk about my 'feelings' haha!  But here it is.  I'll leave you with one little thing I'd like y'all to keep in mind...please don't judge others until you've walked a mile in their shoes.  There's always extenuating circumstances that affect each and every decision we make.  It's easy to sit back and say, well I would've said or done this/that, but how do you really know until you're faced with that exact same situation...well that's easy for me to answer, because you don't.  With that being said, I hope everyone has a very Happy Valentine's Day!! I know that I've never felt so loved from all my amazing friends and family!  And really, that's what this holiday is about!  So remember to tell the ones you care about just how you're 'feeling' and not just on Vday, but every day :)

Vday Skype Date with my Loves





So the pics are a lil blurry, but this Auntie got her Valentine's Day Wish a day early by getting to Skype with these crazy kids!! They make my heart SO happy! Aunt Tanna loves you Taybon, Blaize, Tucker, and Tymber!! Xoxo



New PJs came in the mail today!


My sweet girls from back home sent me this kick@$$ Denver Broncos PJ set for me to lounge around in as I'm recovering from my surgery!! Plus, my second surgery will be late this summer, so they'll be perfect for that time of year!! (Or in my case, because I love the broncos so much, I will be sporting these duds year round :) ) Thanks again to my amazing friends Brett, Brandi, Leslie & Steffany!! Love you mucho!! 

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Post Op Day 21


Ok, so today's video is a LOT shorter than yesterdays...all in all, the bag change went well.  My skin and stoma are still looking great!  And really most of my day was spent jamming out to Eric Church's new CD that came out yesterday...I'm slightly obsessed!  Well that's all for now...I'm going to go enjoy a movie, some coffee and Nutella puppy chow with my momma.  Hope y'all are staying warm :)

Snowmaggedon Feb '14


This was around 3 pm today...pretty big/wet flakes coming down. They say Knoxville will get 6-9 inches!  

More awesome gifts!


I meant to post this pic last week...

I received a really cool care package from my Uncle Dennis, Aunt Laurie and their family! I loove the mason jar look alike cup! And those socks will come in handy these next few days with all the snow we're supposed to get! And oh AMH!! You outdid yourself!! From all the cards, lunch, and now a massage!!! You're amazing, and I'm lucky to call you my friend! Love you all!! 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Post Op Day 20

Wow, I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since my surgery!  That seems crazy to me.  I talked to a lot of people about how scared I was prior to my surgery and how I thought that I would absolutely hate having a bag.  I also spoke openly about how being a young female, that I knew my body image was going to take a huge hit...one wise woman's response to all that has really rung true for me at this point.  She said that I would be surprised at how quickly I would adapt to the changes in/on body.  She predicted that within a very short period of time, that I would accept it as part of who I am.  I think she was right.  I'm slowly, yet surely accepting this as a reality.  A temporary reality. I've had to make a lot of changes in my life...but the end result is worth it.  And every day since my surgery has been so much better than the way I was living my life prior to it.  You can't beat that with a stick :D

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Post Op Day 18


I Treated Momma Joyce Last Night


We enjoyed a local TN favorite of mine last night, after an afternoon of antiquing. It was super yummy as usual, and mom and I shared the BEST caramel apple bread pudding!! The Apple Barn has a cool restaurant, winery and cider mill. Y'all need to check it out if you ever travel to Seviereville, TN. 

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Post Op Day 17


Yesterday wasn't one of my best days, but it wasn't bad either.  I was just pretty darn tired.  Today was great though!  I do have to apologize because the audio doesn't match up with the video this time and it's slightly annoying.  And I'm very technologically illiterate, so I don't exactly know how to fix the problem...

Friday, February 7, 2014

Cleaning out my closet...


All the supplements I had to periodically add to my diet during the last two years. I think there was one point were I was taking 12-15 pills per day. 


Such a relief to be able to 'dump' this lil box o' goodies...I threw away old suppositories, enemas, Japanese herbal anti-inflammatory meds, random other prescriptions and my spirometer (they'll give me a new one with the 2nd surgery). It's such an amazing feeling to know that I'll never need these things again! 


Designated a drawer to all my ostomy supplies. Not sure how long this will last me, but I wouldn't think I'd have to reorder for quite some time!! But then again, I'd rather have too many supplies than risk running out of them! 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Post Op Day 15


Yay for lunch dates!


Had a wonderful lunch with an amazing friend!! Thanks so much for treating me and mom today!! And thank you so much for my awesome gift! I can't wait to go use that massage gift certificate :) 

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Post Op Day 14

I had a great day and felt really well throughout most of its entirety!


Pinterest Projects Part 1


I got my inspiration off of the picture on the left from Pinterest...momma and I liked the 3D effect of using fake branches  and making the pink one two tone. Can't wait to hang em in my newly decorated bathroom! 


Momma J's creation


The burlap sack I painted with a stencil. And yeah, so I maybe sorta kinda like burlap...but just a little bit ;) 


My Pretty Lunch Dates


Ate at Hot Rods, a cool little 50's diner


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

2 Weeks Post Op


Yay! Two weeks have gone by since my first surgery! 

Gettin out and about


It's All So Yummy Cafe, grilled cheese and tomatoe basil soup!! And yes, it WAS all soo yummy! 


It's supposed to rain the next few days...mom and I are gonna get crafty! 


This is for you, Andrea Maples! I'm a big girl now, with my very own glue gun :)