From Top Left and then clockwise: Out and about snapping car selfies pre-surgery; beautiful skies and sunshine; post-surgery in hospital; a little lung function issue; hospital art; Netflix at home in bed recovering; my beautiful nurse Ava; son packing up for first overseas trip; tracking his flight; Ava looking to the skies for Twin2’s plane; the sunset the day my son flew off; lovely welcome waiting for him in the UK; my Camellia’s are flowering; I have marigolds popping up everywhere in my garden; I’ve been enjoying my slow cooker; cactus flowers in winter are so lovely; Offspring is back on! CENTRE PIC: A blindly taken selfie poolside enjoying the sunshine.
Surgery, Setbacks …
Well hello there! You may have noticed my absence on the blog for a couple of weeks. I had some surgery, spent some time in hospital, and have been home recovering. I won’t go into details on the surgery but apart from a couple of little setbacks like a) GP concerns for a blood clot on my lungs requiring a CT scan to be sure (all clear for clots thankfully), b) collapsed lungs and fluid on the lungs; and c) an infected IV site on my arm, things are improving day by day now! Just need to rebuild my strength and energy levels and I’ll be right as rain!
Son …
During my recovery time at home there has also been the need to prepare my son (Twin2) for a trip overseas (his first). Thankfully, much of what needed to be done I had seen to prior to surgery. So off flew Twin2 to the UK on Saturday night. Thank goodness for flight trackers. I knew where he was and when he landed before he probably did!! For anyone not in the know or for parents of young adults of the future – you’re gonna want to download this Flight Aware app onto your phone! You can track where your baby is in the sky – no one need know!! haha
& Sunshine!
Sunshine feels so beautiful to lie in at this time of year does it not? I have found it one of the most pleasant things I can do for myself during this period of recovery. I’m like a cat and every day I watch for when the sun is in just the right spot so that I can lie on the sun lounge by the pool and soak it up! Ahhhh … heaven!!
So it’s time for another Taking Stock post. During 2017, I am doing a Taking Stock post quarterly. The last one I did was in March 2017. The next one after this one will be in late September 2017.
Making: Lots of lists lately – what to pack for hospital – what son should pack for overseas – what meals to cook – ugh my middle-aged brain needs lots of lists to remember stuff!
Cooking: Lots of gentle, healing foods to help me recover post operatively.
Drinking: Lots of water and daily shots of Yakult.
Reading: Not much, though I have loads of books I want to read!
Trawling: Netflix looking for something gentle to watch. I am so sick of drama, trauma, horror and such things. I want gentle easy viewing! Any suggestions?
Wanting: A holiday. Haven’t been anywhere at all since the 8 day cruise!
Looking: Forward to a weekend away. Need a mountain cottage getaway so much!
Deciding: Which shoes/boots to buy from Frankie4 with the birthday money given to me from my parents and sisters. I’ve wanted a pair of Frankie4 shoes for such a long time. Which ones would you buy?
Wishing: My son a fun and safe holiday overseas!
Enjoying: The mild and beautiful climate we have here in Brisbane during winter.
Waiting: To get my strength and stamina back again post surgery.
Liking: The fact that having an operation gave me permission to buy new pj’s (2 sets), slippers and a really soft and cosy new robe!
Wondering: What my purpose in this life is. I still don’t know.
Loving: People who deserve my loving. It’s as simple as that.
Pondering: Life, the universe and all that stuff. I never stop pondering.
Listening: To the birds a lot lately. Are there more of them these days? Perhaps they’re more noticeable in winter? I enjoy their morning songs very much these days.
Considering: Starting to see a PT (a friend told me about) at their home gym for strength training.
Buying: New Frankie4 shoes or boots soon! Refer to ‘Deciding’!!
Watching: My friend recommended Chesapeake Shores which I watched on Netflix. It was lovely gentle, easy viewing that she knew I needed and I really enjoyed it. I think I got through 1 whole season but I’ve seen articles that it has been removed from Netflix. Please explain Netflix?!! I want to see more of it!
Hoping: My energy levels are back to normal soon. So much to do!
Marvelling: At the get up and go my daughter has. So many exciting trips and opportunities she finds and organises for herself!
Cringing: Over how they got access to me to ‘operate’ once I was anesthetized in the OR. Last I knew I had a ‘paper’ gown on! Um! Noooo – stop the visions!
Needing: A holiday away! Also mentioned under ‘wanting’.
Questioning: Nothing in particular but anything and everything all the time!
Smelling: Oh dear – I can’t smell. So this prompt will not be coming back next time. It’s getting a bit boring. Yawn!
Wearing: Aside from cute new PJ’s – loose, comfy clothing while my wounds are healing.
Noticing: That at the moment I only have one of my kidults living at home. One is overseas, the other has moved out. It feels weird!
Knowing: That once I’m feeling better I need to get more organised with my emails. They are in chaos!!
Thinking: Of my son all the way over in the UK, experiencing new things for the very first time. Today he saw his very first castle – in Wales. It was this one.
Admiring: So many artistic and creative people I am discovering on Instagram!
Getting: Tired of being housebound!
Bookmarking: Lots of recipes. I’ve been seeing so many delicious and healthy recipes lately. Yum!
Opening: Facebook and Instagram probably a tad too much – looking for photo’s of my son’s overseas adventures.
Closing: My phone down at night should be done MUCH earlier than I do it!
Feeling: Hopeful that post surgery life will be awesome saucesome!
Hearing: At the time of typing this it is quite late at night and all I can hear is Ava snoring!
Celebrating: The fact that I am on the flip side of my operation! Yes!
Pretending: That I’m not anxious about my son being over in the UK considering recent events. He WILL return safely.
Embracing: The slow cooker! Gee I love that device for making lovely soups, stews, casseroles and more during these cooler months!
If you’d like to have a go at ‘Taking Stock’ – pop on over to Pip’s (the brain behind the Taking Stock concept) for the list of prompt words.
Ciao for now,
Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit
Lyndall of Seize the Day Project
Kathy of 50 Shades of Age
Deborah of Debbish
and Jo of And Anyways
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all five blogs.
38 Comments
Sorry to hear you have had some complications Min, but good that you are now on the mend. What a great time to do a reflective exercise such as this, when you have time and space to be truly present in pondering where you are at currently.
Last season I tried on a pair of sparkly silver Frankie4s, but couldn’t bring myself to spend the money and bought a similar cheaper pair. They brighten up jeans, white pants, and a dull winter’s day. Not sure if they are still available this year. Lucky you having a voucher to spend! Looking forward to seeing what you end up with.
Wishing you well with your recovery – be gentle with yourself. Love Jo.
Thanks Jo! Typical me to have a complication or two. Gotta be a drama queen! lol You’re right – it is a very good time for this kind of reflective exercise. Really makes you dig deep and think! I wonder if the Frankie4 shoes you are speaking of are the Silver Ellie’s? I really like those but I also like some of their other sneakers and I love their boots. How to choose?? xo
Glad to hear you are on the mend. How much do I love Flight Tracker? Let me count the ways. I remember when our daughter went to HK a couple of years ago, the minute she touched down I was messaging her with ‘Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Hong Kong where the local time is 3.23pm and the ground temperature is a balmy 34 degrees…’
LOL – oh Jo you crack me up! LOVE the Flight Tracker. I’ll get to use it a lot this year. Son to yet come home again. Daughter has an overseas trip in September and another in December/January. She will not be with me for Christmas … for the first time ever. Not sure how I will cope with that! xo
I love flight tracking apps. They’re nerdily cool. I’ve been living for my probiotics recently too 🙂 I’m a bit over the amount of political shows on Netflix. I know some are very well written and performed but ugh, politics, basically. So much of TV is stressful to me these days that I too just want something funny or light (but not so light it’s boring).
I seem to be the only one who thinks this, but the one pair of Frankie’s I bought were quite poor quality. I had to return them, they sent me a replacement, and then I had issues with that pair and I got cranky and gave up on them. Maybe it was a dodgy model of shoe cos I know friends who live in theirs and have no problem. But it did put me off of buying theirs ever again as it was not the quality I expected for the price.
Yes flight tracking apps are just the bees knees!! I’m really big on probiotics. I’m having my daily yakult shots and also Inner Health Plus each day. I think I am exhausted and drained by all the horror and bad news we see via social media and general media which is why my choice of viewing needs to be gentle, relaxing and light. A sensitive soul like myself can only take so much. I’m sure many others are feeling the same. I am so surprised to hear of your experience with Frankie4! That’s unfortunate – I hope you let them know? You expect good quality with the price they charge and the expertise that has gone into the design of their footwear.
I’d love a holiday as well, but it’s a bit hard to justify given my part-time work status and fact I live at the beach – nothing to ‘get away’ from. I’ve got a few weekends away coming up in the next few months (which I’ve written about today) and it’s nice to have things to look forward to.
I hope you’re on the mend post-surgery and am sorry you’ve had complications. Take care and rest up!
A holiday is more about getting away from your day to day routine and responsibilities. Maybe a mountain hideaway or something for you? However, you do have quite a few things to look forward to which makes up for not having a holiday planned! I’m mending well now – just need to build up my energy and strength and I’ll be fine again. 🙂 x
Your son’s adventures sound exciting, Min. With you on the excessive list writing.
SSG xxx
Very exciting for him SSG! He’s having a ball so far – lucky thing! Haha – yes excessive list writing is the only way to keep check on all the things in my brain that I need to do. xo
Glad to hear that you are recovering and on the mend Min. It must have been a worrying time, but you’ve kept a cheery head on. Saying farewell to your son whilst still in recovery mode must have been hard too – but hopefully he will come home and regale you with such wonderful tales that it will all be worth the worry. Take care. Get well again soon 🙂
I’m doing well now Jo – all the hiccups are sorted *phew*! It was hard farewelling my son because I was not well enough to go to the airport to see him off. He was glad I didnt go though because I would have cried and probably embarassed him LOL!! Thank goodness for social media and such as I am in constant touch with him and get to see photos of where he’s been etc. 🙂 xo
Sorry to hear things didn’t go so well with your op. Take it easy and rest up and enjoy the sunshine every day.
Thanks Anne – the op went fine – just a couple of complications after. All sorted now. Loving the sunshine at this time of year!! 🙂 xo
Such a lot has happened to you Min. It’s really been a huge year hasnt it with family staying with you for some time as well. I am glad you are finding the sun as you recover. I hate the notion of complications and setbacks…but glad all was eventually well. If you wanted to link up with my last link up for a while next Monday …this is the prompt!! Warm wishes winging your way! Denyse x
It HAS been a really huge year for me Denyse – you’re right! Loving the sunshine at this time of year – it’s so comforting and healing. I hope you find the sunshine comforting for your recovery when you are post op. I will try to remember to link up with your linky on Monday. Feel free to send me a reminder!! OR … I’ll try and find a list to add that to! lol xo
Hi Min – yes we’ve missed you and I’m so glad you’re recovering from the surgery and the set-backs! I have a picture of you in my mind lying on your sunlounge in a warm bit of sunshine reading a book. Hope the recovery continues on track and that your boy has a fabulous time in the UK.
Ohhhh thanks so much Leanne – it’s nice that my absence was noticed. It’s hard sometimes being a little speck in a mega huge blogosphere! Your picture of me is quite accurate for this afternoon. I did exactly that sans the book. I actually napped instead. My boy is having a fabulous time in the UK so far! xo
Wow, Min—I’m sending tons of healing love and thoughts!
I smiled at your wondering, because don’t we all wonder that daily?? There are times that I’m sure this is the best thing I’m doing ever—but my purpose??
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you Jodie! All that healing love and thoughts of yours should help me get some energy and strength back for sure! Yes my ‘wondering’ … it’s a hard one that one isn’t it? xo
Wow you’ve been through a lot recently. Glad to hear you’re getting your strength back though. I think I’d choose a nice pair of metallic sneakers from Frankie4. I have pair (not Frankie4s though) and they are the bomb! I wear them everywhere. 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
I actually left the house and walked the dog to a local park and back today. That is progress! Hmmm … Metallic sneakers sound a good idea … but I also want boots. I want more than one pair is my problem! I really, really, really like so many of their shoes! To choose just one pair is very difficult, hence I have been procrastinating! 😉
Hi Min I do hope you are feeling better and not overdoing it! I loved your list and stocktake and hasn’t the sunshine in Brisbane been gorgeous lately. It is hard when a child starts travelling but it will be a wonderful life experience for him. Take care and glad to see you back at the blog.
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
Thanks so much Sue! No I’m not overdoing it. I’m taking it very slowly and carefully. Starting to feel really housebound now though. The little walk to the local park and back today was a nice treat. Hoping to go to the markets on the weekend – even if just for a short time. So need to get out of the house! My sons travels aren’t my first experience with a child travelling. I had a son go to the other side of the world when he was in Year 12 (to Lithuania believe it or not) for a World Public Speaking and Debating competition and my daughter travelled to Europe last year … and she has more travel coming up this year. It gets no easier though. Happy for them but worry ’bout them.
Great to see you back on #TeamLovinLife Min! I’m so pleased to hear you’re well on the road to recovery from your surgery too. Love your Taking Stock list. I’m embracing the slow cooker at the moment too – yummmmo! 🙂 xox
Thanks Lyndall! Recovering well now thank goodness. Yes I love my slow cooker. Just heard good reports about cooking a leg of lamb in one – falls off the bone – must try it!! 🙂 xo
Gosh. So many surgery challenges! Glad to see you back. Love your taking stock list. I might try that for Denyse’s prompt next Monday. #teamlovinlife
Well I do like to be a bit of a drama queen it seems! lol All is going well now though 🙂 xo
Bit cooler today Min but still beautiful sunny skies 🙂 . What do you mean you can’t smell? Have you always been like this or is it a recent development? Like you I’m longing for a break or a holiday … oh, and all the best with your recovery from surgery – I’m sure Nurse Ava is taking good care of you!
I’m loving this cooler weather Janet! Loving it! I’ve never been able to smell. One of my sons is the same. I can sense petrol sometimes at a petrol station and once I walked into the house and knew instantly that someone had burned popcorn in the microwave. Those are my only encounters with ‘smell’! I’m recovering well now and Ava has been the best nurse ever! 🙂 xo
No, no, no…. those visions are not good. Best to block them out!! I’m so sorry you had what sounds like a pretty sucky time in hospital. Fingers crossed you improve at the most rapid rate possible now. After my Mum had open heart surgery last year (she’s 87), we watched the entire 5 series of Heart of Dixie over about 2 months. She needed lots of rest and recuperation, and it was a fluffy, light, but engaging series to watch. I didn’t think I’d like it…. but I did!! We’d watch 4 or 5 episodes in one sitting sometimes.
LOL – no the visions are NOT good at all! Things are much better now – just a matter of regaining strength and energy. Surgery takes more of a toll on the body than I realised. It’s been 22 years since I’ve had any surgery. Hope your Mum is doing well now! 87 is quite an age for such serious surgery! xo
Looks like the slow cooker is a winner all round!!!
Yessss!! Love the slow cooker! 🙂
Go you! You remembered to link up. Thank you!! I am so hoping to recuperate in the sunshine once I am back home but it’s going to a 10-14 day stay in hospital…still they have to be sure I can take in food (soft/liquid) and water after feeding me via a tube for 7 days (I am hoping it will not feel horrid!). Thank you linking up….and I shall be back!! Denyse xx
Incredible isn’t it? Actually there was something come up in my FB feed that reminded me. Oh I so hope that you have sunshine and all good things happening during your recovery Denyse. Tomorrow is the day and my thoughts and love will be with you all day – no doubt about it. xoxo
Sorry to hear about the surgery, but glad you’re on the mend. Hope you enjoy a cakie or two in that sunshine. That app sounds fantastic. I know I will worry when my boys take off. Eldest is 16 next week, so I guess he’ll be driving soon and all that will follow…! And I haven’t figured out my purpose either…
Sadly no cakies for me. Very sensitive tummy since surgery so got to be careful as to what I eat. When your boys grow up and start travelling you will LOVE that app. xo