Sinus Surgery, Recovery, and What I've learned

Happy December! It's hard to believe that this year is almost over. Some of you may know that I had surgery on my nose and sinuses at the beginning of the last month, but I only mentioned it briefly in a post about my closet organization ideas. This past season has been unbelievably hectic, but the month of November, even more so. Here's what you've missed in the midst of all the projects that I've posted:

When I was a teenager, I broke my nose. I went down a Slip N' Slide at a summer came and hit my face. I only have vague memories of it, but my mom told me that I told her my face hurt for several days afterward. Then when Mac was about 18 months or so, Joel was out of town for the night, and Mac started crying in early one morning around 3 AM. In my half-awaken state, I got up to check on him, and totally missed the doorway. Instead I walked straight into the wall. With my face. Next to the doorway. Totally serious. It was bad. It hurt a lot. I forgot about checking on Mac, who was no longer crying, attended to my bleeding nose, took some Ibuprofen, and went back to bed with an ice pack on my face. In addition that incident, I've had couple more separate occasions where both of my children were in a state of wild excitement while sitting on my lap, jerked backward and smacked me in the nose with their heads. Being a mom can be so dangerous. ;) Needless to say, that my nose has been in bad shape for a while.

Anyway, to make a very long story short, I get sick easily (due to allergies and asthma), and stay sick for a long time. My nose issues only exaggerate the problem. At the end of July, Mac & Cheese both got sick and were nice enough to share their germs with me. So, of course, I ended up sick - and I managed to get a sinus infection that lasted until mid-October. Seriously. I was at the doctor several times over the past couple of months and Joel and I, along with the ENT specialist finally decided the best route for recovery was surgery to fix my sinuses and a deviated septum.

Side by side CT scans of my sinuses 6 weeks apart. The right one was the first scan.

So, at the beginning of November, I went into for a short 45 minute procedure to fix my nose. Let me tell you, I was SO nervous. I almost started crying when the nurse called me back to get prepped. I HATE getting things done to my head - things like dental work, oral surgery, and stuff to my nose. HATE it.

The week following surgery was truly one of the most miserable times in my life and the first 3 days were the worst. I was completely congested, incredibly tired, nauseated from the medication, and coming off the anesthesia was insane. I would have these random and uncontrollable shivering episodes. So unpleasant. I was so congested (and unable to blow my nose) that I had sleep apnea and woke up frequently. Plus, the medication I was taking (a pain killer) caused anxiety. So, every time I woke up unable to breathe, it would send me into an anxiety attack, which made everything even worse. It was a continuous battle to fight through the feelings and fear of suffocation. I was lucky to get 4-6 hours of sleep each night. It was rough. Very rough. Through this, I realized how important patience was during my recovery time. I had to remind myself that I wasn't always going to feel this terrible.

One of my better moments during the first week after surgery. There must be something wrong with me for posting pictures of myself like this.

After the first week, things got better after my post-op appointment with my doctor. He removed my stints and stitches and I was finally able to breathe again. Each day has gotten better since then, especially when I reached the point when I was allowed to blow my nose again. My nose and face still ache at times and I still have some post-surgery fatigue, BUT I can breathe so much better. Huge difference. In fact, for the first couple of weeks, I caught Joel checking to see if I was still alive when I was dozing because I breathe significantly quieter now.

November has been a difficult month for me. My very patient and giving husband took off work, took care of me during this time, slept next to me on the recliner (and sometimes the floor), managed the house, took care of our rambunctious boys, and fed us. After Joel returned to work, I've done my best to stay on top of everything at home, run Mac to and from school, and make sure everyone was fed and dressed. There are a lot of things that haven't gotten done, though. Our house has been VERY messy lately. It drives me crazy, but the fatigue has kept me from accomplishing as much as I want to. I have to remind myself that this is the best that I can do at the moment - acceptance of my current situation.

Despite the conflicts I dealt with during November, I have been very blessed with amazing friends and family who provided a lot of encouragement. I had so many friends who offered watched my children, bring over food, called and texted to check on me, and one friend even surprised me with a new pair of pajamas. I am so grateful for all of my friends and family. It meant so much to hear from them during my recovery.

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Through all of it, though, I have learned a lot about patience, acceptance and gratitude. Life definitely has its hard moments, but during these moments, it's important to figure out what you can learn. It's also important to watch a marathon of TV series. My TV marathon of choice was Downton Abbey. Oh, how I love that show.

What have you learned through your difficult experiences?

Guest posting at Mine For The Making Today!

Guess what? This morning I did a guest post for a blog called Mine For the Making for the Mommy Tell All Monday feature. I wrote about a situation that happened just over two years ago. So chaotic, but going back and remembering it as it happened amuses me just as much as it did when it first happened. It will definitely make you laugh - or at least make you feel a little better about your own day. Go and read it right now! :)

5 Inexpensive Activities to do with Your Family On Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! In honor of the Great Day of Thanks, I have 5 ideas to do with your family while you enjoy your time together:

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1. Netflix - If don't have a subscription to Netflix, this is the perfect time to sign up. Here's the best part - when you sign up for Netflix, you get a FREE 30 day subscription. So, even if you don't want to commit to paying for another service, you can totally take advantage of the trial period and watch a bunch of cool movies during the Holidays (and the trial will even last you until after Christmas).

Here's a couple of family holiday movie suggestions:

- Miracle on 34th Street
- White Christmas
- Peanuts cartoons - The Mayflower Voyagers & I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown
- A Christmas Carol
- The Polar Express

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2. Wii Hula hoop Tournament - We did this at my in-laws house several years ago. Best. Time. Ever. And hysterical. And it's an activity suitable and enjoyable for just about every age. The Xbox Kinect also has a Hula hoop game, if you don't have a Wii.

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3. Impromptu Family Photos - who says family pictures need to be a planned event? Find a nearby park or scenic area and click away. It doesn't have to be a serious session. Be different and fun. Try things and poses you normally wouldn't do. My favorite photos are always the unplanned ones.

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4. Create a Thankful Banner - What a perfect way to honor the purpose of this holiday, right? This banner is pretty to display and also provides a free printable.

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5. Hold a "Leftover Dessert Creations Contest" - Now that you've had your fill of Thanksgiving food and dessert, you're stuck with the leftovers...not that this is a problem. I mean, who doesn't enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers??? Here's a way to keep things entertaining - Hold a contest to see who can come up with the most creative (and tasty) dessert with the dessert leftovers. (Hint - pumpkin pie milkshakes are SO overdone). Votes are cast for each entry and the winner gets to choose the movie for the family to watch.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

How to Make Glitter Heels - A DIY Tutorial

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy GLITTER. It's so sparkly, I just find it irresistible. Anybody else feel the same way? I know you do. Just admit it. Glitter is perfect for adding a little flare and it's an easy way to create a jewel-toned effect. Jewel tones are terrific for Holiday style, but also work well year-round, as long as you choose colors other than red or green. So, I upcycled a pair of lonely stilettos from my closet and I used glitter. I had so much fun, I could hardly contain my excitement as I waited for them to dry.

These black stilettos have been sitting in my closet. Although I love them, I never wear them - mainly because I wear sandals for warm weather and boots for cooler weather. So, as cute as they are by themselves, I like to upcycle my clothing and accessories into more useful items. Basically what I am saying is that I have to bribe myself into wearing some items by making them more exciting. My first idea was to cover them with fabric, but after a test run I decided it was a little too 1980's-matronly. Then, I considered doing a paper collage over them, but then realized that it wasn't the look I was going for. So, I finally decided on glitter - and just to let you know, I am SO pleased with how they turned out. I cannot wait to wear these!

Supplies needed:
- a pair of heels
- masking tape
- glitter
- Mod Podge
- sponge brush

Start out by taping the edges of the heels to create a border - specifically the parts that you do not want decorated. (The soles, and the main part of the shoes)

Using a sponge brush, cover toes and heels with Mod Podge.

Cover thoroughly with glitter and allow to dry for several hours.

Once dry, apply a second coat of Mod Podge over the glitter. Gently peel tape off of shoes once the Mod Podge is set (not drippy), but not completely dry. (I waited until the second coat of Mod Podge was completely dry before I peeled off the tape. Because of this, it was difficult to peel the tape off the shoes without pulling off the rest of the Mod Podge. I ended up using an X-acto knife to separate the glue from the tape). Be very careful to not touch the glitter. Allow to finish drying overnight.

Wear them and amaze all your peers with your crafty talent.
What is your glitter color preference?

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DIY Glitter and Glue Christmas Ornament Banner

Banners are so much fun, don't you agree? This banner was beyond fun to make. Why? Because it uses glitter and glue! This is the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity and fuel your glitter obsession. I mean, how often do you get to do a project where you can doodle with an excessive amount of glue AND glitter at the same time? That's right. Not that often. The beauty of this project is that it can be as easy or as involved as you would like it to be. Either way though, the most time consuming part of this project is they drying time. And if you're not so fond of the banner idea, you can always skip the twine step and use the glitter-glue ornaments on your tree. By the way, I made the chalkboard talk bubble that you see pictured below. You can find the tutorial here.

Supplies needed:
- glitter
- school glue (I used the clear kind, but the white kind works just as well)
- twine
- wax paper
- acrylic spray
- toothpick
- ornament hooks or paper clips

Start by laying out a sheet of wax paper.

Using the glue, draw various shapes onto the wax paper. Squeeze the glue bottle firmly and pour slowly to create thick lines of glue. (Avoid bubbles in the glue as much as possible).

Avoid separations in the glue (like the one pictured)

Use toothpick to connect separated sections of glue

Make sure that each glue shape connects from beginning to end of shape. If the glue separates into sections, use a toothpick to connect the separated sections or add more glue to those areas.

Cover thoroughly with glitter. Allow to dry on a flat and level surface, preferably overnight. Once glitter and glue shapes have dried, spray with a coat acrylic spray. (This significantly reduces the glitter mess when handling shapes)

Gently peel the dried shapes off the wax paper. (Make sure glue is completely dry before peeling off the wax paper, otherwise the shapes tend to curl)

Originally I hung this on our piano. 

Hang (tape, tie, whatever way you choose) the twine in the desired spot to display the banner.

Using the ornament hooks (or paperclips) hook each glitter-glue shape and hang on various parts of the twine. If you have trouble with the ornaments staying in place, try hooking through the twine threads.

Easy, right?

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Pumpkin Oat Pancakes Recipe

Have you had your fill of pumpkin yet? No? Guess what? You're in luck! I have an awesome recipe to share with you guys today. Pumpkin Oat Pancakes. Wait - what? Pumpkin flavored pancakes? That's a thing? Yes! Yes it is. Pumpkin. I adore this flavor. In fact, I keep a can of pumpkin and bottle of pumpkin spice in my cupboard all year round. I always look forward to the Fall season because of the pumpkin recipes that surface. I highly recommend serving these pancakes for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning.

I came across this recipe at Shrinking On A Budget. I've found a decent variety of pancake recipes on this site over the past couple of months. Apparently I have a thing for pancakes. A while back, I shared a recipe for Blueberry Protein Pancakes. I found that recipe on SOAB, too. Good stuff, people, good stuff.

Here's how to make them:

Ingredients:

1 cup regular old fashioned oats

8 egg whites

1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese

1/2 cup pure canned pumpkin

1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice

3 tsp sugar

Combine oats, egg whites, cottage cheese, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, and sugar in a blender and pulse until somewhat smooth (about 10 pulses). 

Spray a non-stick pan with non-stick spray and heat to medium-low. Pour into pan using 1/3 cup

of batter per pancake. Cook on first side until edges look done and a few air bubbles stay at the surface. Flip and cook until the desired color is reached. Top each serving with one sliced banana just before serving.

Pumpkin Oat Pancakes. AH-mazing. Enjoy.

Mom Humor: 18 Ways to Spot a Mom of Little Ones

Being a mom to little ones is amazing. I LOVE these little guys, but it's not always easy, right? Sometimes, it's just downright stressful and exhausting. On those days, I've found it's best to find the humor in the situation. So, here are several ways to identify someone else who may be in your shoes. I've compiled a list of situations from personal experience that will make you feel better. ;)

My mom thinks I'm morbid for making this picture

You know you're a mom of little ones when:

1. You are at a doctor's appointment, and start to roll up your the leg of your pants only to find tiny little Cheetos fingerprints around the knee area. You and the doctor have seen them, and then you have to explain, "I'm a mom."

2. You have at least 3 toys in your purse or diaper bag at all times.

3. You always carry snacks in your purse or diaper bag.

4. When everyone actually likes dinner and eats it promptly without complaining, you consider it a major victory. 

5. You LOVE being able to run errands by yourself and insist on only carrying your keys, a small wallet, and your cell phone instead the giant mom purse or diaper bag that you normally have.

6. You find small chalk hand prints on one of your cars. 

7. Eating by yourself and taking an uninterrupted shower is a luxury. 

8. If you keep a small potty in the car, because you never know when your toddler might announce the need to use the bathroom and pulling over for a potty break is so much better than washing the car seat cover.

9. You put on a sweater that you thought was clean only to find a small sections of dried food on the sleeve left by your toddler. Instead of taking it off, you say, "Oh well. I'm a mom. This is expected. I'll look like this by the end of the day anyway." And then you wear it.

The time he tried to change the Scentsy warmer in the bathroom. Not blood, just wax. No burns. Just a big mess to clean up. A big mess that he was required to clean up.

10. Regardless of how often you clean out your car, it never seems to stay clean. There will always be a collection of cracker crumbs, empty juice boxes, random toy parts, and fingerprints on the windows.

11. Making dinner without any interruptions or meltdowns from your children is a major victory. 

12. When you get home at the end of the day only to realize that you have been sporting a collection of stickers on your shirt, placed by your toddler when you weren't paying attention.

13. When you find your cell phone in the toy box, but not because you put it there.

While I was busy, Cheese found a way to entertain himself

14. You look forward to the days that you get to stay home because you don't have to look presentable to go out in public. Yoga pants, no make-up and wet hair.

15. "Sleeping in" is when you don't have to get up until 7 AM.

16. When your kids' toys always seem to end up in your own bedroom instead of theirs, regardless of how often you make them put them away.

17. If at least one of your kids has dropped your cell phone into the sink, tub, or toilet full of water.

18. You have a mountain of clean and unfolded laundry piled somewhere inside your house, that rarely disappears. AND your family is so accustomed to sifting through the pile for their clothes that when you actually manage to fold ALL the laundry and put it away, replace it with a pile of dirty clothes to be washed, and your kids STILL go to the pile for clothes instead of checking their drawers. 

Can you relate? Please, feel free to add to the list! 

By the way, I pulled all of these photos from my Instagram account. Check it out for a regular dose the mom humor and shenanigans. ;)