Mood:
chillin'Now Playing: Day 2916-Chapter 3... Happiness~My Silver Lining
I believe in signs. I believe in gut instincts. I also believe there was very valid reason that two surgeries had to be postponed, time and time again.
This is the first blog entry of quite a few that I am beginning to catch up on this evening. Going back in my mind of the past week. Actually... the end of 2017 and the beginning of a new year... 2018.
There was every bit of a really good valid reason on why surgical procedures had to be rescheduled over the past few months. Physically, my body just wasn't ready. Mentally, I had yet to close some doors in my life... permanently. I most definitely believe that no matter what type of surgery you are having to any part of your body. You must first be ready in every way, shape and form. Physically, spiritually and emotionally.
After finally putting all the silly shenanigans away that had been causing me stress and the inability to focus on far more serious issues. I finally had the opportunity to focus on far more important matters with my health... surgery. It may have taken awhile, but this morning was the first step in realizing two long awaited surgeries. It wasn't a choice. It was a must. Regardless of what type of surgery you may endure at some point in your life. There will always be risks involved with going under the knife. For those whom may never have to endure any type of surgery in your lifetime. Consider yourself lucky.
With any surgery, comes the risks that are involved when you go under anesthesia.
As I am now taking the time to catch up on blog entries over the past week. I am very fortunate to now be on the other side of surgery... recovery. The safe side after suffering surgical complications. Having pre-existing issues places anyone at a far greater risk of surgical complications. This is why when surgery is a must, not an option. One must be prepared both physically and mentally. It takes one heck of a surgeon to be okay with not just taking on my highly complex, complicated medical case. But to also understand that surgical complications can sometimes not be avoided, no matter how many precautions one may take before surgery. And I must say... my surgeon took a lot of measures in order for me to have the safest surgery possible. Without complications. But you can't predict the unpredictable.
I do not have much recollection of the next 24-hours during and after surgery. But I can tell you one thing. There is an afterlife. I am not sure what you would call as far as what I was able to remember with going to a specific place and remembering one very particular face. One particular face that I have never met before in this lifetime. But after finally waking up and coming to while looking down to see Eric holding my hand. The very first words that Eric said came out of my mouth were of those perfectly describing his grandmother. I know where I went and I know who was waiting for me. Along with others whom I can only hope to one day put names with those faces that surrounded me.
This isn't the first time to have encountered such a place that not only enlightened me. But angered me that I had to leave such a peaceful, beautiful place outside of anything of this world. I believe that place to be called, heaven.
Thanks to our dear friend, Mary and our very first live Christmas tree. Our friendship with Mary is a very special and most sacred one. We both share a very special gift. The gift and ability to connect.
lucky
After layering my clothes and bundling up with the biggest and warmest coat I could find. Yesterday morning was the truest test of all time to see if I could pass pre-surgical testing for this mornings scheduled surgery.
Once I am released, there will be plenty to keep our fur children busy while mommy is home finishing up her smooth road to recovery. Yes, as we were told, things will be different after this surgery. Life, once again, will change. But those words couldn't be handed down to a much stronger person. There isn't anyone else that I know that is stronger than me. The one person that I know who is stronger happens to be watching over me from heaven. I am forever blessed by the strength they have handed down to me. 
Thanks to those who will be keeping an eye on our fur children. Thank YOU for inspiring me through out my journey. Those who are also bravely battling to live to see another day. KEEP ON! KEEPING ON all YOU brave Viking Warriors!
bright
Don't you just love the look of real stained glass windows? Especially during the winter time.
Guess we really don't have to worry about dryness from not having a humidifier during the cold winter months. We can just take in the moisture from the thick ice instead! Pfffff! 
happy
We have enjoyed such an amazing beginning and sadly after today. The end of Christmas for this year. But today instead of thinking about our Christmas in the past tense. We decided to celebrate another entire day of sheer festive Christmas happiness! 
Most folks celebrate Christmas with turkey, ham and all the other holiday trimmings. Not us. No way! We decided to celebrate Christmas a far more healthier way! This easy to make oriental dish took just a mere 40-minutes and turned out super delicious! Instead of using high sodium soy sauce and other oriental seasonings. I used a very low sodium Paradise Pineapple Teriyaki sauce by Kona Coast with a sprinkle of pepper, ginger and cinnamon sugar for seasoning. This simple dish is enough to last for more than a few days as a far healthier choice for your entire family. YUMMY!!
Our fur children got lots of treats and plenty of toys to keep them busy through out the day. While we took it easy watching some holiday classic movies and sharing my new heating blanket with a cup of chai tea. RELAXING! 
JOY
happy
YYY!!!!
There really isn't much else that I could ask for this Christmas. All of my wishes and dreams really came true!
We had a bit of a slow start to Christmas Eve after this gal had a rocky morning, physically. Our sleep schedule has pretty much turned into sleeping whenever my body needs the rest. So this year meant actually celebrating Christmas at midnight. YAYYYYY! There is just something magical about turning on all the bright, colorful Christmas lights while the rest of the world is fast asleep. The most ultimate form of P-E-A-C-E. 
It was the very first Christmas for Babyblue, Big LOVE, Sweetie and Papa kitty. All rescued fur children that are now part of our little family. They were all super excited to walk into the Christmas room and see their gifts under the tree and stockings filled with all sorts of toys and treats. Sweetie and Papa kitty are neighborhood rescued fur angels that otherwise would have no home to celebrate Christmas. There really was no reason to not provide a warm shelter, food and lots of love this holiday season and through out the upcoming cold winter months. It's amazing just how well everyone instantly got along. Rescued fur angels are god's gifts from heaven. THIS I do BELIEVE. 
Knowing that many families will be purchasing or adopting this holiday season. As a gift for a child or children. This poem serves as a reminder that all of God's creatures, both big and small, are not just mere pets. They become part of your family. Not temporary... permanently. 
special
At 4:30am... the electric came back on and so ended a few hours of pure peace that filled our entire home. It wasn't but a mere few minutes after making my rounds around the house to reset clocks that operate on electricity before that uneasy feeling began to once again surround me. This time, I wasn't going to just stand there without my camera in hand. As I continued walking around the house, there was a feeling of being drawn into the Christmas tree room. Once I opened the door an overwhelming draft greeted me and so did someone on the camera who appeared to be decorating our largest Christmas tree. Where else? Right in front of the brown box filled with old family photos and other fond memories. 
It's going to be a far different kind of Christmas this year for our little family. But no complaints, because so far this has been one of the most peaceful, joyful and fun-filled festive Christmas seasons yet! After our quite magical visit to place the remaining cute snowman figurines with loved ones. Christmas to me... has already been celebrated. I am content with once-in-a-lifetime moments that we have gotten to experience during this holiday season. 
It appears that a low tractor blade caused damage to the corners of not just my grandfathers memorial marker. But also to a dear couple next to my grandfather. After making a few calls, both will be repaired or replaced by the cemetery. I assume that maybe they figured since their passing was in the 1980's. And that no memorial or holiday trinkets were placed on the name markers. No one would notice. But we did. I think this goes to show that if you see something like this on any respected memorial marker. Make sure to call the cemetery office. They have insurance for a reason. I wouldn't have it any other way nor could I have left without reporting the damage as we placed a few remaining snowman figurine with my grandparents. 
I remember years ago feeding huge catfish, possibly even some goldfish under this really pretty bridge that connects two sides of the cemetery. Ironically, I didn't forget the bread today and although we didn't see any fish. We did end up feeding a few feathered friends. It was nice to reminisce while spending time visiting loved ones on a most picture perfect, beautiful start of the winter season. I sure do miss how we all used to celebrate the holidays. But I know that their spirits still remain with me to this very day. 
surprised
I recall a neighbor of ours telling me about one morning when they were drinking coffee and looking out their large living room window facing the wooded hillside to see over 25 deer. Seems they were waiting for me to come out and do my early morning feeding ritual. Funny enough... I never really look around when outside with my many different bright, comfy long robes on and mismatched slippers. Hahahaha! 
Myself and Eric honestly found it quite hard to believe that over 25 deer literally wait for us every single morning since moving into our new home here in the country. But as of this morning... I counted at least 20 deer that magically appeared right after hearing the sounds of corn, deer chow and water at their feeding station. Hehehehehe!
LOVE