This Perfectly Imperfect Life

I've been quiet here for the last month into December because our hearts are broken and I've had no words 💔  The Marine lost two of his brothers in November, one at the beginning of November, and one last week at the end of November, both to very different circumstances.  We are changed. That thing called "normal" may not be found again for a very long time. For now it's one day at a time, and hour at a time or one moment at a time when a day is too much. 

Another dreary day! Surgery # 4 was this morning 🙈 You'd think by now I'd be used to this, but the jitters started yesterday! 😬🙏🏻 It was a two-parter: The stent is Out 🎉 and another kidney surgery. I'm actually already back in day-stay recovery. A bit 'three sheets to the wind' as it were 🤤😂 but so far so good. Praying this is the last surgery of this round 🙏🏻 Even though the day-stay staff, OR staff, and my urologist are fantastic, I'm tired...  #spoonie #spoonielife #spoonieproblems #RAwarrior #rheumykidneys #rheumatoidarthritis #livingwithchronicpain #livingwithchronicillness #livingwithchronicfatigue #livingwithrheum #gardenwalk #rosechat #springgarden #myperfectlyimperfectview #thisperfectlyimperfectlife (taken before we left this AM)

SO much rain from these coastal storms, complete with thunderstorms mixed in, and the gardens have gone from loving it to drowning 😐 And I can't wait to check the basement again 🙄 We'll have gone from drought to the exact extreme opposite if this keeps up. But, there's only a chance of showers between later today and Monday (as of now 🙄) so hopefully we all get a chance to dry out this weekend!  #friday #morning #gardenwalk #morningritual #morningmotivation #rosechat #roses #inmygardentoday #apartmentgarden #coastalgarden #raindrops #myperfectlyimperfectview #thisperfectlyimperfectlife 

Sunny Knockout's in full bloom & surviving the rain 💛 Good morning & happy Wednesday ☺️  #goodmorning #gardenwalk #morningritual #morningmotivation #nofilter #roses #rosechat #inmygardentoday #apartmentgarden #springgarden #maygarden #yellowrose #plantastar #simplepleasuresgreatestjoy #myperfectlyimperfectview #thisperfectlyimperfectlife 

🎉 And good morning & happy Saturday! #goodmorning #happysaturday #nofilter #gardenwalk #morningritual #morningmotivation #inmygardentoday #apartmentgarden #springgarden #maygarden #rosechat #simplepleasuresgreatestjoy #myperfectlyimperfectview #thisperfectlyimperfectlife 

Post-op day 4 (kidney surgery # 3): There has been much of this today. Kitty snuggles & reading on the couch. In between naps and tea when I'm not queasy from pain. Because I feel like I've been hit by a train then run over by a truck. But I showered, so as far as I'm concerned? I win. Love to my fellow spoonies! ❤️❤️❤️ #takewhaticanget #smallvictories #spoonie #spoonielife #spoonieproblems #theultimatespoonie #livingwithrheumatoid #livingwithrheum #rawarrior #livingwithchronicillness #livingwithchronicpain #livingwithchronicinjury #rheumykidneys #myperfectlyimperfectview #thisperfectlyimperfectlife 

Struggling with mono on top of my rheumatoid disease (aka RA).  Need to nourish my body as well as my soul.  Yesterday afternoon I defrosted bean soup (made this Autumn) and added diced tomatoes (w/juice), veggie broth, chopped leaks, parsley, chives & curry powder. (The scent of curry powder instantly comforts me!) Reheated today and added the curry powder again along with a dash each of garlic & onion powder and black pepper. Made orzo pasta on the side to add to the bowl of soup. (Keeping the pasta separate keeps it from getting mushy in the soup). Topped with fresh parm cheese.  Nearly crying by the time I sat down to eat, almost no energy to lift the spoon. But I've had almost no appetite with the mono, so it's been difficult to eat well. This afternoon at least, I wanted to eat well and finished the bowl of soup. I have enough made for the week.  What do you do to nourish your body and soul when you're feeling anything but wel...

In spite of the challenges throughout 2014, (right up until the end in fact!) I have so much to be thankful for and appreciate. Truly blessed!  And I wish all of you a new year full of many blessings, silver linings when the bad seems to out weigh everything else, good health, joy and prosperity!  Please be safe if you're out & about tonight.  I'm already looking forward... Welcome, 2015!