A sprinkle of gratitude

Happy Wednesday evening everyone!

How are you doing? We are officially in a new year. Many have returned to work after being off for a little holiday break. Incredible that we’ve completed another year around the earth. Goodbye 2025, hello 2026. I’m ready for everything new. How about you?

Tonight, I wanted to check in with you all to say hi, hope you’re all doing well and Happy New Year. I’m excited for this year and I plan to take each day as it comes. New beginnings in my life. John and I bought a home. We’re in the process of moving. My son gifted me a jeep. The pups are finally back with me in our new home. Surgery went well and I have a beautiful backyard and an incredible kitchen.

This week I cooked dinner for the first time in over 6 months. With the water and mold damage in our last home, we had no kitchen. To this day, there is no kitchen, but my new home has a wonderful kitchen and tonight I cooked. Though I’m on a soft diet for the next month, I stood over my stove and made homemade macaroni and cheese. I enjoyed every moment of being able to finally cook a hot meal in my own home in my very own kitchen. I am feeling beyond grateful and blessed.

Sunday, I finished organizing my pantry and when it came time to cook, I knew exactly where all my spices were to make John and I dinner. It’s such a little thing that meant the world to me.

Below is a photo of my new little pantry. I still have more to put away but here’s a glimpse into its progress:

The rest of my kitchen is still one hot mess, and that’s okay, one day at a time and for the first time in a very long time, I’m enjoying taking it a little bit easier. The doctor’s right. He told me that my body won’t allow me to overdo it with this surgery and as soon as I begin to get tired, my body basically stops working. I tried to push through it today, but the pain is like a stabbing sensation through my stomach, and the only thing that alleviates the pain is medication and sitting with my feet up.

God sure does have a way of getting us to comply when we need to. I had my first post=op and the doctor said since he did the hernia repair, an esophagus repair and a repair to my diaphragm, the pain is expected to hang out with me for another month or two. The doc said my incisions look great and I should not expect to do any physical labor for at least three months post-op. Max weight I can lift; push or scoot is 8 pounds. Well, that doesn’t include my own weight, which believe me, is WAY over 8 pounds.

Each day in my new home is wonderful. I love being home. I love just sitting in the silence and absorbing everything new.

Today a dear friend stopped over, and I took her on a tour of my hot mess home, but she didn’t mind the mess. She said she loved my home and the backyard. Even though we are no longer directly on the water, we have the views and I kinda like that. My loft is perfectly small. It’s bright and airy and it’s just enough for my reading, writing and a little bit of crafting. One day I’ll have my all-seasons room and she-shack, but for now, I’m still trying to get used to owning a home of my own. It’s been a moment since I’ve owned, so I’m really enjoying the quiet and I’m especially enjoying the warmth of our home.

Wanna see what I was able to enjoy today from our bedroom balcony? Okay, here you go.

I think Molly and Oreo are enjoying their new backyard too. They have all kinds of new scents to take in.

Below are the girls out back enjoying everything new.

I have so many ideas, dreams and goals for our home, but for now, she’s perfect just the way she is. As each day welcomes us, I’m sure a new idea will come to mind. In the meantime, I am feeling blessed and when I come downstairs and look outside to my backyard, I am reminded of so many blessings in my life. I see this beautiful flag that my dear friend gifted me and it represents everything lake life.

And in conclusion, here is my final home thought:

I am not only blessed by the things in my life, but by the people in my life. I have an incredible family. Amazing friends. A wonderful community to call home. I might not be wealthy with money, but I sure am rich in the more important things in life. God has provided me with so much and I pray each and every day that I can always have a grateful heart.

My final thought:

Well guys, I’m going to be saying goodnight for now. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read tonight’s blog. Thank you for all your love and support and thank you for all your encouragement. This truly is one amazing place to be in life.

Until next time, don’t forget, Love Life++ Hugs.