I took myself to the market...

And bought some fresh tomatoes, peppers and cilantro and made salsa! I even braved cutting a lime and juicing it :)
I also treated myself to my favorite flowers~ $5.00 for a beautiful bunch of Sunflowers~

And it was the first time I took my camera out "one handed" and not on my front porch~

Here is my Fall decor!

Hand update...

Here is my hand update~ Then I'm moving on and posting good things again for a while! I'm sick of feeling sorry for myself~Last week was rough though and I have to allow myself that too...
So last week I went to my follow up Dr appointment, they were concerned that maybe the tendon repair had ruptured since my finger is not responding quite right. He sent me for an ultrasound on my finger and luckily the tendon appears in tact! Yay ~So what they are thinking now is that the scar tissue has adhered and it is preventing the tendon from working, so we are bumping up the physical therapy for the next few weeks. And keeping fingers crossed that the scar tissue will give a bit where it is stuck! Apparently I scar like a champion~ Who knew! :)
(Otherwise they may have to do another surgery to remove it, I'm hoping that will not have to happen).
This Wednesday I will get my splint off. I will still have a weak hand and a finger that does not work but it will be nice to be able to wash my hand at least, and shower without a trash bag!
Thank you for all of your kind thoughts~ It helps me so much~!!

I'm trying so hard

not to be broken~but this roller coaster ride is proving harder than I thought.
I opened my hand for the first time at physical therapy today and that felt good. My injured finger, however does not seem to be working like they had hoped. I left therapy feeling ok and optimistic but later got a call from the physical therapist that he had called my Dr and thought I should move my follow up appointment to this week instead of next so that he could see the concerns we have for my hand.
I know things might still be ok but I feel like the rug was just pulled out from under me, I'm not sure if I can start this over. I am hoping I wont have to~
Please keep my hand recovery in your thoughts this week, I could use some extra strength and hope right now ~
Thank you...

Living life single handedly....

It has been just over 4 weeks since I cut my finger and severed 2 tendons. This coming Wednesday will be 4 weeks post surgery....That is the date that every small milestone will be counted from (see calendar above). I have been doing physical therapy since 2 days after surgery and last Friday (3 1/2 weeks post surgery) I was able to try and engage my tendons...Lets just say it was a very... very... small movement and I realize that I have a long road ahead.
It has been very challenging to only have the use of my right hand, there are so many things that require 2! These things are not possible with one hand...
Tying my shoes, putting my hair in a pony tail, flossing my teeth etc.
Some things are possible just harder and slower...typing, driving, writing letters etc.
I have not been cleared for any physical activity besides walking and mild hiking...Not even running....It's been hard to slow down.
There are so many lessons that I am learning from this experience, it has been extremely humbling to say the least. I will talk more about the lessons I am learning in a separate post.

Here are a few photos of the stitches...

Stitches removed...

Post skin and scab peel...

"I Was Here"

I haven't ever really thought anything much about Beyonce, but this song really brings up so much in my heart. It sums up how I am trying to live my life and how my beautiful mom did live hers.
I want to thank my real life angels for bringing things like this into my life :)
Just thought I'd share...

"I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, and something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I want to say I lived each day, until I died
I know that I had something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone to happiness
Left this world a little better just because...
I was here...
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here..."
~Beyonce~

Janet and me!

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to meet a fellow blogger! She came from St Louis to Salt Lake for a conference and we met for lunch. What an amazing woman!
Janet, it was such a pleasure to meet you!
Here are a few pictures from my phone!

Dear 36...

I celebrate with you today as our last day together on this journey.
Tomorrow 37 will greet me as I wake.
You have been an interesting year to say the least.
You have been filled with~
...endings...
...beginnings...
...laughter...
...sadness...
...loss...
...gain...
...hope...
...fear...
...family...
...friends...
...love...
...kindness...
...loneliness...
...togetherness...
...accomplishments...
...travel, where I found so much of myself...
...doubt, where I questioned so much of myself...
...injuries that have made me stronger...
the list goes on and on...
I look back on this year knowing I have made mistakes, knowing I have made progress, knowing that I am such a lucky woman. This year has shown me that during hard times there is a support system of the most amazing family and friends that come together and lift me up with their strength and love. I have indescribable gratitude for my support system in this life! I am such a lucky person!
So 36...
Thank you for the challenges you have given me. Thank you for the amazing gifts you have given me!
I will miss you, but I look forward to meeting 37 tomorrow with open arms, an open mind, and an open heart!