No Pictures This Time

Hi everyone! Well, April has been a month of new experiences, some challenges, and lots of hope and positive thinking for active and fun-filled days ahead. For some time now, I have dealt with back and sciatic pain. For the longest time I pushed myself at the gym, thinking that just keeping myself moving was the end-all cure-all. At my bi-annual oncology checkup (all is good!), I shared how my back and sciatic pain were just getting worse. My doctor had some of the same issues and suggested I see someone at the Nova Spine Pain Institute. She had had some very good results... and I take recommendations from any professional at MD Anderson without hesitation.  

I had my first appointment two weeks ago and could not have had more confidence in the doctor and how he suggested we proceed. The first new experience was an MRI...to say I am claustrophobic would be putting it mildly, but after acting like a crazy lady, they agreed to sedation (apparently there is a shortage of this drug in the entire "Valley of the Sun"). The pros doing the MRI could not have been nicer and very considerate of my phobia...probably heard about the "crazy lady" thing! 

My next new experience and recommendation from the doctor, was physical therapy. I knew from day one that this was not going to be easy, pain-free or possible without my complete participation and commitment. I've had four sessions, each being 90 min. to 2 hrs....painful, but I am seeing results!  

After meeting again with my doctor about the MRI results, he suggested Epidural Steroid injections to be given in 2 to 3 appointments. They have a fully-staffed treatment room for the procedure, and they strongly advise sedation...heck yeah, bring it on! They use an Xray guided protocol to get the medication in exactly the right location. I had my first injections today, and while I am pretty sore right now, I am very hopeful that these shots along with my PT, will give me a much better quality of life. I actually would like my "Golden Years" to be truly "Golden," so my attitude going forward is positive. Sorry this is so long; but from past experience, you should know how I like to share stuff that might be beneficial to some of you. And I will keep you posted!

Okay, posts without pictures are really boring, so I will give you one little teaser pic of my Spring-to-Summer craft room tree....I haven't finished it yet, but it's already pretty cute!

I am so sorry that some of you are still experiencing crazy cold and snowy weather!  I hope you will be getting Spring-like weather soon...at least before the calendar says it's Summer!  Take care and be safe.

Hugs to all,

Carol

Hippity-Hoppity Happening

Can you believe Easter is less than a week away?  I thought I'd better get my tush in-gear and share my Easter/Spring decor.  Life has been and continues to be rather busy around our home, so it was now or never....well, probably not never; just much later!

The Easter Tree in all it's fluffiness and fun!

 

 I've been adding more pinky-blush and love how fresh and calm it feels.

There's been some paper-crafting going on....there are tons of free patterns on Pinterest for making flowers of all sizes and types!

 I'm loving these pink cherry blossom stems!

A birdcage filled with old book pages tied together and a bird and bird nest 

equals simple Spring perfection.

These two show up every Easter, often with a re-glued ear!

 This sweet scene on the foyer table welcomes one and all.

 Love hydrangeas!

 More paper (cardstock) flowers...so much fun to make!

This is a FREE printable from Anne on Sutton Place.  It was part of my

St. Patrick's Day decor, but I love this Irish Blessing, so it's staying for awhile!

 MAY YOU ALWAYS BE BLESSED

with walls for the wind,

A ROOF FOR THE RAIN,

A warm cup of tea 

by the fire.

LAUGHTER TO CHEER YOU,

Those you love near you,

AND ALL THAT YOUR

HEART MIGHT DESIRE.

I had some fun decorating my breakfast nook buffet!

I'm feeling the lure of live plants, like these orchids, above and below.  Got them at our grocery store (WINCO) for $7....I know, right?  Fingers crossed that I don't kill them!

 Perfection....God's handiwork.

Very simple mantel.

Well, there you go....my Easter/Spring decor.  I kept things fairly simple this year, except for my Easter Tree, which is just wild and crazy!  I'm really enjoying the pretty pastels and could easily keep this look going through Summer.....probably, well, not very likely!  Bloggers have to change stuff...nothing stays the same for very long.  I do hope to keep this look at least through April, but we will see!  Anyway, hope you enjoyed this photo-heavy glimpse of Easter/Spring around our home.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!

Hugs,

Carol

I hope to be joining some of these lovely ladies this week:

Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Carol at The Red Painted Cottage for Share Your Style Party

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Happy Easter 2017

Happy Easter!

Is Easter celebrated in your religion or faith?  For many, it is a celebration of Christ rising and ascending to heaven after being crucified on the cross for all of our earthly sins.  

For many people, it is the unofficial beginning of Spring with warmer temperatures, beautiful flowers popping out of the earth, and green grass to toss a blanket on for a picnic.

For others, Easter is a combination of religious traditions, Spring-time, frolicking bunnies, dying eggs and giving our homes a clean refresh with lighter decor and maybe a personal refresh for our mind, body and soul.

However you celebrate Easter, I hope it is a wonderful day filled with many happy memories!

Warm hugs,

Carol

Hippity-Hoppity Spring is Here

 Surprise, I'm still here!  To say I took a "social media break" might be a stretch, but I haven't done a blog post since early January!  I have been on FB & IG a few times but very few, and I've tried to leave a comment here and there.  While my health is definitely improving, I still find that I have to reserve my energy for the most important things.  And just let me say, blogging takes a lot of time and energy!

Kudos to all of you who put these parties together each week and still manage to personally thank all of us who join the group....you are all amazing!  I've thought long and hard about not blogging anymore...I mean, you've all seen every room in my house for every season and holiday.  I was beginning to wonder if it was just getting boring.  What I finally decided, is that I really do blog for myself...I'm a scrapbooker and memory keeper, and use my blog posts as a fun way to record what goes on around here.  That being said, I love that other bloggers visit my blog and leave such sweet comments....so, I guess if my posts get boring (or maybe they already are) to any of you, you just won't visit.  😭!!!  My conclusion as of March 8, 2017, is that I will find "contentment" (my word for the year) in blogging when I feel like it and when it brings me joy.  So now, who wants to see some Spring and Bunny-business?  🐇🐇🐇

The Man has busy with some outside projects and lots of maintenance with our "citrus grove," so I'll have to share some of that another time.  I've been busy in my craft room with projects, and I hope to share some of that as well.  Spring is definitely here in the AZ desert, and I hope it's starting to feel like Spring wherever you live.

Warm hugs to all,

Carol

I'm joining these lovely ladies this week:

Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday