It was such a beautiful day today, and I’m grateful I was able to sit out on the deck in the sunshine. Today summer felt right around the corner. In fact, my peonies and lilies have really taken off.

We also took a short trip to the store, too, which was unexpectedly tiring. However, it felt good to walk around for a bit. I’m already bored of sitting. But I’m trying really hard to just rest and recover. I want this surgery to finally be the last of my reconstruction. I’m as tired of taking about it as you’re probably tired of hearing about it.

I was finally able to shower tonight, so I’m super thankful for that. It’s amazing how much it makes a difference. It is still a little cringy seeing all the bruising and redness that comes from this surgery. I was noticing that my hips were especially sore and now I know why. Apparently, some of the liposuction happened there—I have huge bruises up and down my sides.

I’m also still really tired so I’m thankful I was able to nap for a few hours today. And watch girly movies. And eat Bundt cake my mom sent. Mmm.

I’m so sore and tired today, even after sleeping for 10 hours last night. Since I didn’t nap earlier, I’m planning an early bedtime.

After I woke up this morning I was sore from not having meds in the middle of the night. And when I was trying to empty my drain, I started feeling really lightheaded and had to lay back down for a little bit. I’m blaming my day of fasting yesterday. The only thing I had were a couple of animal crackers they gave me at the hospital. I’m thankful that I was able to eat fairly normally today, although I didn’t have much of an appetite.

I’m also grateful for the beautiful flowers that were delivered to me. They really brightened my day. And my kitchen.

Finally, I’m grateful for Patrick’s help getting me in and out of bed, picking up my meds, and helping me dress.

I told Patrick that I wasn’t worried about not eating today but man, I was hungry by the time we got to the hospital at noon. I guess my breakfast last night didn’t do it. I was able to drink water this morning so that helped. The other thing about surgery is they ask you to use antibacterial soap ahead of time but you can’t put on lotion or anything. So I was properly dehydrated and my skin was parched. Afternoon surgeries suck. Ha.

I’m thankful though that things went well, and we made it home early enough. I’m also grateful to my friend Gwen for helping us with the pups while we were gone. She’s always so helpful.

Tomorrow is my follow up cosmetic surgery. It was scheduled for the afternoon, which is a bummer for not eating, but at least I can have clear liquids in the morning. Patrick asked what I wanted for my last meal today, which sounded very ominous, so I settled on breakfast, which seemed the least worrisome. I don’t need to have an upset stomach in the morning and be unable to take anything for it. I did splurge on pancakes with ice cream topping. Mmm.

So I’m grateful today for breakfast out, for getting almost everything I needed to get done at work, even though it took finishing a couple of things tonight, and for positive feedback.

How cool was the solar eclipse today? I’m thankful that Patrick found us glasses. Some of my coworkers and I took turns wearing them towards the height of the eclipse. Some of them tried to take photos, but they didn’t turn out well. One of Emma’s coworkers got a great photo though. I’d give them props, but she didn’t tell me their name.

I’m thankful for a fun spot in the day. And for a warm evening to take the pups for a walk.

We had another rainy day (it is April) so it was a good day to hang out at home and play with clay. I got some faces baked and watched a series of videos for using plaster fabric that I’ll use for bodies.

In between, I watched a good message about listening, vacuumed up the lots of fluff Cooper flung everywhere, and did a little laundry. I’m thankful for a relaxing day and getting stuff done.

I’m thankful for a beautiful Spring day with warm enough weather to be outside without a coat. And soil wet enough to manipulate easily. I spent four hours this morning digging up lilies in the front yard. After the last few years of surgeries in the spring/summer, my flower beds got neglected and the weeds took over one section. It wasn’t worth trying to fix. Instead, I removed them, cleaned things up, and spread some mulch for now. I even trimmed up the bushes and roses and edged the beds. I’ll need to buy more mulch later, but I’m thankful I got the bulk of it done before the weather turns rainy again and before my surgery next week. I’m also thankful Patrick helped move the bags of mulch around for me. My back is slightly less sore.

I’m grateful for a little social time after work today, celebrating the birthday of a friend. And for sunshine and warmer temperatures. And for future plans with family. Happy Friday!

It’s my friend Gwen’s birthday, and I’m thankful we’re friends. Still.

I’m also thankful tomorrow is Friday, and we survived an ISO audit at work this week. The auditor was brutal, but we passed. I’m hoping I can end the week by getting a few more things checked off my list. Finally.

I didn’t mention it yesterday, but when I saw my surgeon, I pointed out a rash that hasn’t gone away on my radiated skin. They biopsied it just to check, although he didn’t think it looked suspicious. I got the results in my online chart yesterday morning, just before an audit meeting. It said there were atypical cells, so I kind of freaked out. But someone from the doctor’s office called to let me know that although atypical, they weren’t cancer but damage from the radiation. Whew! So. Happy.