Oh man! It's been a hot minute since I sat down to write a blog post. I don't know if you are like me, but I usually treat January like a trial month. I like to ease into a new year. And with the past several months being crazy busy, it seemed like an even bigger necessity this year.
Surgery
Back in May/June of last year I had some sort of injury to my spine. I am not sure when it happened exactly. I was doing an insane amount of yard work by myself (up to 14 hour days) to get ready for the weddings. But we also had a lake trip in early June where it could have happened. The MRI (months later) estimated the time of injury as that time period but I didn't start feeling pain until mid June.
It ended up being a couple of herniated disks that were pinching my sciatic nerve and a severe annular tear. I lived with the pain (going to the chiropractor to try to find relief) until the fall when it got progressively worse. I finally got an MRI in late November.
Within 24 hours of the MRI being read, I was sitting in a surgeon's office. One who normally takes months to get into see. We scheduled the surgery for as soon as the hospital's surgical center had an opening. I woke up from surgery and got teary eyed because it was the first time I hadn't been in major pain for 7 months. I could handle the pressure and mild pain in my back. It was much better than nerve pain in my back and left leg.
The recovery in total is 6 months. The first 6 weeks were brutal! I finally don't have to wear my brace all day. And I'm weaning off in office physical therapy. I am looking forward to bending and twisting again one day. Haha! It's crazy the things you take for granted until you can't do them anymore.
Welcome Home!
About a month after my surgery, my second oldest son returned home from his mission. He served a 2 year mission for our church in the North Eastern part of the United States. He lived in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. He loved teaching and serving the people there! We were all so excited to have him home though.
I took January off from blogging and social media to regroup and recover more. And to spend time as a family now that we are all in the same state again. I love the reflection and planning that the start of a new year brings.
Home Goals 2025
Last year taught me that you can plan all you want, but life throws things at you that will change it all in a second. So this year, I am not making super concrete project plans. I have a list I would LIKE to get done, but I am not EXPECTING to get them all done.
#1. Add An Awning
I would love to add an awning above the kitchen door. It faces south and gets harsh light. There is also nothing protecting the porch and door from rain. I think it would not only be super functional, but would add even more charm to that side of the house.
#2. Refresh The Office
You know I love GREEN. I adore it. I even painted my kitchen cabinets green this year. But the office faces north west so most of the day it is in the shade. It is the darkest room in the house until the sun starts to set in the late afternoon. Since the room has a cooler shade of green, gray, and white, it comes off very cool. I want to warm it up a bit and bring some sunshine vibes to the space. Shane and I spend a lot of time working in there, so I want to refresh it to feel brighter.
#3. Down Bathroom Renovation
Our poor basement bathroom keeps getting ignored. Just as we are about to get going on the demo, something like a wedding crops up! But I really need to push this up the to-do list and make it a priority. I bought the tile like 3 years ago. I just need to pull the trigger.
#4. Travel
Last year was first year we didn't do any sort of traveling. No camping or anything. All our time was spent preparing for the weddings and then gearing up for surgery. I am hoping to do hiking trips, camping, family reunions, and a senior trip with our third after he graduates. We don't do fancy, expensive vacations, but we do love exploring new outdoor adventures!
It is also our 25th wedding anniversary this year and since we didn't get to celebrate at all last year, I am hoping to at least get a little staycation in.
#5. Down Hall
Our downstairs hall is very.... functional. And boring. But since it is out of sight to most everyone and isn't a top priority, it has been neglected for far too long. I have hopes of creating a gallery wall with photos and keepsakes from all our travel adventures. We definitely need to add in some color too!
#6. Bedroom Refresh
I am craving a cottage core bedroom full of color, florals, and a bit more of a light and airy feeling than my current moody boho space. I am having a hard time narrowing down all the elements I want to add. It may the first time I start a room without the end result clearly in my mind. There is something exciting about slowly pulling it together over time.
#7. Spend Time Outdoors
I choosing to title this one "spending time outdoors" because while we normally do at least one large outdoor project every year, I am not sure that will happen or not this year. I am going to focus on regular yard maintenance and planting instead. And since my spinal surgery, I know I can't keep the same pace I have in the past. My days of working 10-14 hours in the yard are gone. My doctor said I'd be lucky to do 3 hours of hard work a day. So for this first year post surgery, I will take it a bit easy. Or as least as easy as I can. There will be small improvements here and there, but I think our big plans will need to wait a bit.
When the projects are big or small, I am looking forward to a new year, warmer weather, and having all my kids back in Utah :)
So happy to hear you are feeling better! Spine pain is no joke! Also great to have all the boys back in town again. You mentioned Maine as one of the places your son served. Did he happen to work out of Rockport? That is so close to me and such a lovely location. Thanks for all the sweet picks of family!!!
The projects will always be there, but remember, "mile by mile it's a trial, yard, by yard it's hard, but inch by inch it's a cinch!" Please take care in all you do! From one spinal sufferer to another! Love and hugs!
Wishing you continued healing from your surgery and a bright fresh start into the year.
Thank you so much :)
Hi Danita! My son lived in Damariscotta for a few months which I believe is close to Rockport. He absolutely loved Maine. He also lived in Oxford for a time. I would love to one day go back there with him to visit the areas he served. I've never been to those states and it would be a fun adventure.
I hope you (and your spine) are doing well!
Hi Stacy,
Yes, that's not far from me at all! Just like the beautiful places you vacation at, Maine is that setting and has the ocean. Acadia National Park would be a wonderful place for your family to vaca at.
My spine is that of an 80-year-old woman, and there is nothing surgically that can be done. Both my upper and lower spring have fused on their own. One blown disc at a time. All that's left is the middle! LOL. And that too is starting to go one disc at a time. I have no regrets in life. I was a dancer most of my life. I stopped teaching dance at 53. I'm retired now and love where I live. I'm a content person and keep my eye simple! Life is wonderful! Knowing people like you makes all the difference! I pray you manage your new back condition one day at a time. That really is the best way! Love and gentle hugs!
Oh my Stacy I understand so much regarding your spine ordeal. I had surgery in my mid 30s on my back in the 90s. Take care of yourself and just remember not to overdo. Sending you hugs and continued healing wishes.
Thank you Lin! The hardest part is not over doing it. But I am trying :)