I've had a bout with depression this summer that I just haven't been able to shake. I was feeling pretty bad during choir practice today. It was as if I didn't want to be there. I haven't done my nails in three weeks (other than necessary trimming), and haven't cross stitched in a month. It's almost time to decorate for fall/Halloween, and I haven' ( Read more... )

I got some good news from Anthem today. I was worried that I hadn't gotten a bill for last fall's gallbladder surgery. It turns out that they'd covered it almost in full! Would have been nice to know sooner so I wouldn't have been going nuts about it. They didn't completely cover the hernia repair. They paid 90%, and I'm paying the hospital with a ( Read more... )

Today was the first time since my surgery that I got through the day without pain. The day did catch up with me, though, and I'm hurting just a little bit. An ibuprofen and a good night's sleep should take care of it. Yesterday, I went to church for the first time in a month and sang in the choir. I still get tired out easily, but it was nice to ( Read more... )

Six of us this year at Katie's house for dinner after church. It's always nice to see Katie's in-laws! Just Maryellen and Richard this year. No Sam and Devon because Sam couldn't get off work ( Read more... )

This Saturday, it will be six months since my gallbladder was yeeted. My scar still looks gross. I still have weird "phantom" pains, plus the surrounding tissue is hard. And then I have that hernia that I'm getting repaired in ten days. I have to say, I had a much tougher recovery than I did from my hysterectomy six years ago. My digestive system ( Read more... )

My check-up with my oncologist went well. He's very satisfied with my progress and doesn't need to see me until next year. He was very interested in my gallbladder disaster, and checked out my scar. He said any lumps I still have are normal and will go away on their own ( Read more... )

Christmas is a week away! I'm not ready. Most of my cookies have been baked, but I still have more to do. It took forever to get everything decorated this year. I may have overdone the tree room!

Trees and dolls. My mom thinks everything looks like a department store display. I think it looks like Macy's threw up in the room!


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I was terrified about the 2023 elections in Virginia. If the Republicans had taken the state Senate and held the House, Governor Youngkin would have been able to do incredible damage to the rights of women and the LGBTQ community. So far, the Democrats have held the Senate and even gained a seat or two. The House isn't all called yet, but the ( Read more... )

Behind a cut because it's long.

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Once again, I am struggling with holiday preparations. I've managed to get the decorating done, but now the hard part of baking is at hand. Sam and Devon are coming for Easter, and they had two requests: my spanakopita and a chocolate cake. No problem there. I also have to make treats for the coffee hour at church. If I didn't love to bake, I would ( Read more... )