Have you ever noticed that things don’t ever seem to go the way you plan?
I guess that’s why they say “life is what happens when you are busy making other plans”
Well this summer definitely lived up to that saying!
As many of you know I had surgery on June 2nd. It was my first surgery ever, and as far as surgeries go, I think it went quite well. I seemed to recover fairly quickly – at least enough that I was occasionally able to sneak down to my studio and create, post to my blog and send out email updates to you guys – all while my husband wasn’t paying attention LOL – because, you know, you’re actually supposed to rest after a surgery (how ’bout that?)
On July 16th I had a second surgery. That one was a pretty major one, but I didn’t really think twice about it. I consider myself to be a FIERCE chick – so I expected to spring back just as quickly as I did with my first surgery and be back in my studio in no time.
It didn’t quite work out that way. I ended up being down for the count for pretty much the rest of the summer. I’ll be honest with you – recovery was pretty awful. I spent most of the first week in bed. The second week alternated between bed and our back deck. By the third week I spent most of my days sitting on our outdoor couch on the back deck. By week 4 I was finally able to get out and about – my husband went for a walk almost every night. We started with a 15 minute walk – and then every day it got a bit longer until by the end of the week I was able to walk for an hour or so a day.
When Week 5 rolled around I was ready to try something more. My husband took 2 weeks off, so we did a couple of day trips into Toronto with the kids and the rest of that week was pretty low key – recuperating from the exertion.
Week 6 was camping week. Yep! We had scheduled that one awhile ago – when I assumed that I would be perfectly fine by then. I was so tempted to cancel, but the kids were SO excited about camping that I just couldn’t disappoint them.
We spent 3 days camping at Arrowhead Lake Provincial Park (a 3 hour drive away). I was so nervous about going – how I would handle the work, whether I’d do okay sleeping on an air mattress, etc.
Thank heavens for our three oldest kids – 12, 15 and almost 17 – they and my husband did most of the work. I did what I could and was able to relax the rest of the time. I was also grateful for the air mattress – it actually wasn’t too bad.
Since then, things have been slowly getting better.
I made it back to the gym for the first time in 3 months this past Saturday, and went again this morning.
Although I went easy (for me) holy smokes am I sore! I wouldn’t exactly say I am back at 100% yet, but I am pretty close. I still get tired easily and I’m still sore where my incisions are.
I am officially “back to work” now. While I have managed to keep up with email and do online work for a few hours each day, up until now I haven’t felt well enough to get back to my studio.
So…..this week will be the week! I am excited to get started creating again. Especially with Christmas around the corner – I already have my new products from the Holiday Mini Catalog and am ready to get going.
I know, I know – it’s only September, but this time of year I am always planning ahead!
You will likely be seeing my first post to this blog towards the end of this week.
So now I’d love to hear from you guys – did you create this summer? Have you started thinking about your Christmas cards yet? If not, when do you usually start thinking about it/prepping?
So glad you are back on the road to health.
I as so happy to hear you are bouncing back.
May I ask what sort of surgery you had. Seems like I am in the same boat as you were. So surprised that I am not bouncing back and am looking at shoulder surgery #2 being a big possibility.
Happy to hear you are recuperating well. Christmas is heavy on my creative mind. I have my 2nd Christmas Workshop set for Saturday and a 3rd on Sunday. My first was in July. I hope to have my personal cards done early! I welcome more Christmas ideas!
So glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery and feeling much better. Missed your postings, look forward to your Christmas ideas. May the Lord continue to grant you strength and healing.
Praying that you keep getting stronger every day. Gob bless.
So glad you are back. I didn’the know what happened to you and really missed your emails. Take your time and don’t overdo we wouldn’t want you to have a set back.
I’m glad you were able to camp with your family. I’m sure it was a trip they will never forget. Take it slow and steady. Glad you are back creating.
Glad you’re almost back to your wonderful self. And you could do some family time. Looking forward to your coming post, enjoy them. Mary Binder
Welcome back!! Will keep praying for your continued recovery, but glad to have you back to do whatever you feel up to!
I, too, am so sorry to hear about your surgeries. I’m also very glad to hear that you are getting better; believe me, it will take some time, but it is worth it to do as the doctor tells you. I’m so glad to hear you are doing well. Carol
So happy to hear your are Blessed with better health. You remain in my prayers. Don’t rush, take the time you need to heal, it really makes a difference. God Bless.
So glad you are much better. Many blessing!
Glad to hear your doing much better and are back! I have been working on ideas for Christmas cards. I’m really liking the Wonderland stamp set. Not my typical choice but I created a card over the weekend that I think turned out beautiful. I’ve also been working on Christmas tags using the new DSP paper and tree punch.
Welcome back and continued prayers for your full recovery. We all need to listen to our bodies — rest as you need to get back to good health. It’s so easy to go-go-go but we pay dearly if our body isn’t up to par. I hope it won’t be long that you’ll be in perfect health! I’ve definitely missed your emails.
So glad you are feeling better. Take it easy, there is always tomorrow. I will patiently wait for all your beautiful creations.
So glad to hear that you are doing better! Take things slow and don’t over do! I have to let you know that I love your videos, I got the MISTY for my Birthday, all because of your posts 🙂 and I absolutely LOVE it!
I wondered why no posts for a while. So glad you are feeling better. Will pray for continued healing. I have an order for Christmas cards that was placed early summer so I’ve been working on them that long!
Hope your health continues to improve….Take care ….Margaret
I really wanted to comment on your “hello, you made my day” post but I can’t 🙁 It doesn’t give me the option 🙁
It’s so good to have you back! I hope you continue to get better, and stronger, with each day!
I LOVED your “hello, you made my day” card and set out to CASE it! I didn’t have all of the stamp sets you used but I could get by! I did change out some of the colors… to make it more “me”. Instead of the “stamped border” at the bottom, I planned to use Washi Tape. So, I get all of my stamping done and go to put my card together… when I cut my ww for the image panel, I forgot to measure for the washi layer at the bottom! Ack! Well, I still love my version. I would love to share it with you… where would I post it???
Happy Healing!!! – Mary
I’m so glad your getting back to your old self. I had carpel tunnel and cubital tunnel surgery a few weeks ago. I am good to go now and have been playing some. Life gets in the way sometimes!
Gloria Conger
I am so glad that you are getting better. It is nice to have you back. Take care of yourself.
So sorry to hear that you had to have surgery but glad to hear that you are on the mend. Best wishes for a complete recovery and that you are back to your “old self” real soon.
So happy to hear you’re recovering nicely. Major sugery usually knocks the stuffing out of us. I did get to craft some. Not as much as I would have liked though. Continue to take care of yourself. Blessings, Bernadette
So glad to hear that you’re feeling better .. I bet it’s feeling pretty good to get back in your studio! Looking forward to taking a class with you and this Christmas class just may be the one .. I always wait till the very last minute to make my cards and this will help me to get them done early!
Glad you are back on your feet and doing well. Looking forward to your inspirations for my Christmas card classes. Of course I only look at the products I can use with Stampin’ Up and they have been few and far between since your absence. Glad you are back
So glad to see you are feeling better! I know you had to miss creating. I have been making a quilt for my great-grandson and haven’t stamped much recently..but I miss my little stamping room.
Looking forward to your postings!
I thought about your title and thought it was definitely my life this summer, but actually started in May.
May– My husband became ill while we were on vacation in California.
June–My husband passed away from his illness while he was in the hospital.
June 29–Funeral and burial in Texas. (I NEVER planned for this.)
July–Survived the pain of this thing called grief.
August–Started taking care of responsibilities.
September–Still surviving…but the circle of life took place–my first great-grandchild arrived on the 10th! He is 12 weeks premature and we pray for him to continue to grow daily and surmount the issues that come with prematurity.