Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Busy Days : :

A Stocking for Grace

This time of year is so busy for all of us preparing for the holidays. For my family December is a month overloaded with the extra celebration of two Cracknell kid birthdays, as an etsy shop owner who receives a much needed high volume of custom handmade orders, and I'm unfortunately adding many doctors appointments and tests to my schedule these days. With each December that passes I promise myself to do better. To not take on so much, to be more prepared and organized. This year, for once, somehow I actually feel like I'm succeeding in that. At the end of each long day spent cutting, ironing, sewing, cleaning, cooking, wrapping, mailing, parenting, etc.. my only feelings of falling short comes from this blog and missing out on my plans for it.Typically I'd simply save all my unfulfilled goals for the slow Winter days of January. But after these holidays I'll be undergoing a Thyroidectomy and possibly a Tonsillectomy, still thinking about that one. While there's so much stress and exhaustion that comes with the crummy health stuff, I'm hopeful that all with be okay and in the end I'll feel much better. I'm grateful to be able to wait until after the holidays and to have all that I mentioned above to focus on and plan for. For once I'm finding these extra busy times extremely helpful for keeping me from worrying about the scary, unknown stuff. Today I thought I'd share a few of my favorite photos from these December days of crown creating, birthday celebrating, and merry making!

On our way to Philly to celebrate our Kaiden's bday weekend!

A birthday sundae for my birthday boy, Kaiden!!

Penny loves snow days!!

The best seat in the house!

🎄😻✨

Today my Haila turns EIGHT!! Due to a nasty cold we're celebrating at home quietly & simply with a special dinner & a beautiful, fancy cake!

Make a wish!

Crown Making!

♡  Maureen

19 comments:

  1. Such nice pictures, you sure are busy! Wishing you all the best and good health!

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  2. Maureen - your sweetness and talent shows in everything you do. Your family is beautiful!

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  3. I presume you are talking about having your thyroid removed. I had this done in 1999. It was benign. But honestly the operation is really pretty easy. It's an overnight stay. The main after effect is that your torso will feel like pulled muscles--they apparently almost stand you on your head during the surgery. You will feel really stiff for a few days. You will have a scar that will follow your neck wrinkles and another small round scar from where they drain the wound. You cant get it wet for 10 days so will be having baths, not showers. To minimize scarring, don't expose to sun for several months and then use Vit. E cream. You will be on thyroid medicine (if you aren't already) and the correct adjustment can take a while. Take the medicine early in the morning, on an empty stomach. This is critical. The one thing that happened to me, and there may be no correlation, was that I had a lot of trouble with my teeth. And you probably already know that there is a tendency towards glaucoma with thyroid disease. Also, you cannot take a lot of over-the-counter drugs, especially decongestants and other medicine for colds. Get to know your pharmacist for alternate suggestions.
    Hope this is reassuring. Honestly, the operation is no big deal. I had my thyroid removed because it had a huge (and I mean huge) lump that became vascular (lots of blood vessels). This is the type that may become cancerous. Hope this helps.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear that you're having health issues, but it's good to hear that it's being dealt with! We play the doctor visit game with my Nana, as well (she has 3-4 doctors right now that she's actively seeing). Your holiday decorations look lovely, just remember to carve out a chance to sit down!

    **having my tonsils taken out in middle school improved my sleep SO much, but I know it can be scarier for adults.

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  5. I hope you can take some "me" time before your surgery! You work so very hard at all your creative endeavors and caring for your family...take some time to re-fill your "well" so you don't collapse!!! I'm so glad you have been able to schedule your surgery for after Christmas - do enjoy it!! I pray that this will solve your health problems!!! This year seems to be one with a single set of footprints in the sand. You are such an incredible, creative woman and I have enjoyed getting to know you a little bit through your blog!!

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  6. What a busy month! I hope your surgeries in January give you the relief you need. It was fun seeing a sneak peak of the crowns you made for my daughters. I have one more daughter whose birthday is in September and another baby girl on the way so I'll be ordering g two more crowns from you at some point:). Merry Christmas, Maureen!

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  7. Oh goodness! I am so hoping you will recover quickly and feel better than ever! I hope you take the time you need to heal and get family snuggles too. I really enjoyed your photos today of all the lovely Christmasy cheer.

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  8. I am so sorry that you will have to go through these surgeries, enjoy the holidays and wishing you good health for the new year. Looks like the dog got to eat some cake too, I couldn't tell if it was frosting or snow on his mouth, and the cake looks to die for, yummy, is it a gluten free recipe? please say yes.

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  9. What a lovely post and such beautiful pictures! I have a serious health problem too (chronic depression) and earlier today was thinking about last Christmas when I was extremely ill and how different things seem this year. I hope your operation and recovery goes well and that come this time next year you'll also be able to look back from a much happier, healthier place. With best wishes for a wonderful holiday.

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  10. Enjoyed the pics. Prayers for you. My daughter had half of her thyroid removed for a benign tumor. Recovery was pretty easy. Just take it easy for a while.

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  11. Love you, your work and blog...it will all be okay. Merry Christmas!

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