Oh, Christmas Tree!

I've always been a fan of random blogs, MarthaStewart.com, and various other idea-centered sites on the web.

But recently, I found a new love (thanks Maggie): Pinterest.  It's a culmination of all things beautiful. And my very first day, I tried a new project.

Here's the original post on Pinterest:

Source: uncommondesignsonline.com via Lana on Pinterest

So the day I saw this, I headed to Walmart, and invested in a couple of floral foam cones ($2/piece) and a roll of hemp (for $3).  With a little tacky glue, five minutes, and a lot of winding, I finished my first Pinterest project.

Grand Unveiling:

I think I could get into this!

Words

I'm working on some pre-New Years resolutions.

Have you ever thought about the potential positive impact of your words?  (I think we all realize the negative impact…) I've been thinking about that a lot lately.  

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

The tongue is a powerful tool.  In the past few months, I have received multitudes of uplifting cards, text messages, emails, and phone calls.  And I often don't think that people understand how deeply their words penetrated my spirits.

For some unidentifiable reason, I have this unfounded subconscious belief that conveying to people what they mean to me will make me appear weak.  They should just know anyways, right? But as discussed in a Coaching and Mentoring course in which I'm currently enrolled, the more you pour into people, the more you yourself are poured into.

Thus, I have resolved to pour into people with my words.  I have so many people in my life that I love so much, and the possibility that they don't know is a travesty!  

So here's my actionable goal: To supplement each of my Christmas gifts, I plan to include an uplifting card.  And to make it a fun project, I have designed this card.  Here's a sneak peek at the front:

I scored the sweet clip art on shabbyprincess.com.
You can download my full card template here.

This holiday season (and beyond the holidays), please ensure that the people in your life know how much they mean to you.  You'll be thankful you did.

First Anniversary in the Windy City

Last Sunday was our first anniversary.  To celebrate, we skipped town Saturday morning and set our GPS  (which we have affectionately named Pam) for the Windy City.

See how excited Kenny is?

There are many benefits of having an anniversary in December:

a) On landmark anniversaries, you can ditch the Indiana weather for the tropics.
      NOTE: Illinois weather isn't much better.
b) While the season of Christmas parties and concerts drones on, we have a valid excuse to RSVP "No".
c) As if Christmas lighting wasn't romantic enough already?!
d) Cold weather = Mandatory closeness (for survival!)

So, given all of these reasons and our desperate need to get away, we had a terrific time.  Here are our highlights:

1) Shedd Aquarium
Sitting elegantly on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, this aquarium featured all of my favorite sea animals.  And I have a new life goal: to have a pet sea lion.

I kissed a fish and I liked it...

Intensely checking out the coral

What's an outing without a silly hat picture?

2) Signature Room on the 95th
I enjoyed the best burger of my life while observing the city from 95 floors above in the John Hancock Building.  Plus, the decor was gorgeous!

View from our table

3) Shopping
Sadly, neither Kenny nor I bought a thing while in Chicago.  Apparently we just weren't in the mood.  But the hand holding, people watching, and photographing was phenomenal.

You've been paparazzied!

While walking through Express, I was obnoxiously taking pictures..
Kenny wasn't embarrassed at all.

So cute!  Based on the redness of his nose, you can tell
how frigid it was Saturday.

4) Gino's East
The pizza was just plain great.  Four cheese deep dish = 3 inches of solid greasy cheesy magic.  Plus, you could write on the walls.

5) Sleeping without a dog
Wilbur is a bed hog, and sleeping without him all up in my grill was fantastic. That's really all I have to say about that.

6) Museum of Science and History
What a fun place! So many colorful and exciting exhibits!  There was a school fieldtrip while we were there (on a Sunday?!) which kept me from enjoying the hands on exhibits as much as I would've liked, but I still had a great time.  That is, until we went "deep" into a coal mine and the combination of dank smells and "Electric Mule" ride sent me running for the nearest bathroom at a full sprint. Dumb stomach.  Kenny took some lovely pictures of me being weak and nauseous.

Sailing in the ship exhibit

What a clown!

Girl Power!

Look at those guns! (Kenny's, of course.)

Moo!

He's got the whole world in his hands.

Me being sick and weak towards the end of our adventure.
I like to sit on random floors.

All in all, we had a terrific time, and I'm very grateful to have spent one wonderful year as Mrs. Wright.

December: Sneakiest Month of the Year

How is it December already?!

So by now, I'm sure I've made it blatantly obvious that I'm no good at blogging.  I'll try to improve...
To catch everyone up, I'll focus on the Big Five in my life:  God, health, family, home, and toys.

God 
Last week, I was in a lull between terms at Taylor U. and decided to do some leisurely reading.  So, I picked up a book that I hadn't read since my early teenage years: This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti.  On the surface, the storyline is fairly predictable.  But much of the story is written from the vantage point of the angels and demonic forces working behind the scenes.

The author calls the demons by name: Sickness, Complacency, Fear, Lust, Deception, etc.  And each of them hangs out on the backs of their victims.  On the other team, the angels are calm and aware, but have limited power to combat the forces of evil in the absence of adequate "prayer cover".  But as soon as a spirit-filled prayer was spoken by various characters in the story, they are unstoppable.

In the past week, I've been acutely aware of the power of prayer (and Jesus' name!) and of the true nature of the creepy little beings hanging out on my back, trying to oppress me.  It's kind of life changing.

Health
After three different surgeons and specialists, I'm finally on the road to recovery.

I've certainly taken the scenic route.  

We're currently dressing my wound with alginate dressing (which is basically seaweed that looks like fiberglass and is supposed to promote cell growth).  It's working, and I know that I owe that to the prayers (and encouragement - that's especially for you, biff!) of all of my friends and family.

Family
I have been so blessed.  Period.

In the past few months (especially when I was still an invalid), my in-laws willingly picked me up and drove me all over God's green earth to get groceries, get out of the house for family crafting days, etc.  I love them like my own.

My parents have been loving and encouraging me through three surgeries - including sitting with me for days on end in uncomfortable hospital rooms.

And Kenny is just unbelievable.  (I'm a total pansy and crying as I type this.)  He has gotten up early to dress my wounds every morning for the past 5 months without complaint; has gone out of his way to help me have a clean, functioning household; and is still in love with me even though I've been the lamest wife in the world since this whole thing started (almost half of our marriage!).  He has such a great attitude and is one of the most giving people that I know.  I hit the jackpot with him!

And finally, Wilbur (our puppy) is cute and cuddly.  :)

Home
Our Christmas decorations are up!  Last year we were honeymooning until the 23rd, so it seemed pointless to decorate.  This year, we had lots of free decorations - one of the many benefits of a winter wedding. According to my mom, the holidays have been good for me.  I've posted a couple of pictures below:

             

Toys
I have had the same janky feature phone for four years.  My phone predated my relationship with my husband.  Sadface. But last week, with the go-ahead from the boss and the shopping help of Dad and one of my awesome work friends (Sprunger - that's you!), I finally joined the rest of the world and got a smartphone.  Lovin' it.  Like all things Google creates, Android is great.

I also bought my first Mac for dirt cheap.  After a few minor software/hardware upgrades, it's a speedy little guy.  And as much as I hate to admit it, I'm loving it.  (Using it right now, in fact.)  But I still prefer my PC for the majority of what I do.

And finally, my fantastic Kenny bought me a super sweet Canon DSLR (and lenses) for an early anniversary gift. I have a ton to learn, but I think I just might have a new hobby.

I'm Back... in Spirit!

I have been an epic failure at this blogging thing lately.  And I have a perfectly good explanation: Remember that third surgery that I was concerned about? Well, I had it.  And it was awful! The surgeon cut straight down to my tailbone and left it open to heal naturally.  They kept me in the hospital a day longer than originally anticipated because of bleeding and unshakable nausea – thanks to Kenny, Mom, Mom Wright and Katie, and Aunt Linda for taking shifts at keeping me company during that time.  I know I was a pleasure to be around.

Vicodin and Percoset have been my very good friends this week.  (Sadly, the pills and Wilbur have been my only friends, because Kenny has been working approximately 8 million hours per week.)  But I am happy to report that I’ve had a turnaround!  Last night, as I was getting ready to move from my station on the sofa into the bedroom, the song Bring It to Jesus (thanks for recording that one, Norm Andrews!) began to play on my iPod.  Here are the lyrics:

Anybody got a heart that will not mend?

Are you trying to live a life you can't defend?

Are you in a battle that you just can't win?

Bring it to Jesus

Anybody got a problem they can't solve?

Anybody got a hole in their resolve?

Just remember in His hand the world revolves

Bring it to Jesus

Could this seriously describe me any more thoroughly? (Yes, I do literally have a hole in my resolve. Thanks!)  At the moment that this song came on, I pretty much collapsed to my knees in prayer.  Rather hysterical prayer, I might add.  And I woke up this morning with less pain, no nausea, and with the resolve to heal fully and to give God the glory when my healing is complete.  I can't wait to get back to my friends at Brotherhood and Apostolic Temple (and especially to direct the choir again!), and to resume my role as a productive member of society.  In the meantime, please keep me in your prayers.

And as a fun, slightly-related sidenote, I haven't taken a single pain pill today, and can therefore think.  This was a good thing, because I had a paper due this evening for one of my Master's classes.  Good news: I finished it.  Better news: Wilbur helped.

In the next few days before I'm able to get back to normal life, I'm going to work on doing a quick highlight of the week leading up to my surgery.  It was a fun one!

Ten Things I Love About Fall

Autumn marks the end of many things: Little League, swimming pools, green leaves, ice cream trucks, and walking barefooted in the grass.  However, it's also an exciting time in the Wright household.  Here are some of our favorite things about the season:

1.  I absolutely ♥ fall decorations.  There's nothing cozier (except Christmas decor!).

2.  Brisk walks through nature on the trails down the street.

3.  This squirrel canister, which is currently housing Kraft caramels (another fall favorite), holds a dear place in my heart.  Squirrel canisters are the go-to gag gift in the Huff family.  (Hence why I received at least five of them from anonymous guests at my bridal shower last year.)  Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay! Shoo!

Thanks, Aunt Linda!

4.  Random scarecrows situated in places that no crow would ever dare venture - like indoors, in front of our television.  Seasonal decorations can be so ironic!

5. Mums! Could any other flower be more hardy and happy?

6.  Breaking out the cozy clothes again, in an attempt to deal with those awkward frigid weeks when I'm too stubborn to turn on the furnace because I'm not yet ready to embrace the cooler temperatures.

7. Wilbur Wright, stealer of slippers.  Who am I kidding? He's what I love about every season!

8. Tea time with Mr. Wright.

Check out this awesome scripture on the inside of our mugs!
(Thanks Uncle Terry and Priscilla!)

9.  Scarves! My neck is way too claustrophobic to be wrapped up in the summer time (even though it's now fashionably acceptable), but as soon as the temps drop, my scarves make their debut.

10.  After a long summer of nothing but humid night air, many strange and exciting things are unveiled by the crisp autumn air.  Take, for instance, last night's spectacle: Aurora Borealis!

Cyst Down and Listen!

This will no doubt be one of the more depressing posts of this blog's lifetime.  Just call me Debbie Downer.

DISCLAIMER: If you have a weak stomach, do not read this.

In the past two years, I have had recurring infection in a cyst located on my tailbone, a condition that was, at times, incredibly painful.  (And for some odd reason, only reared its ugly head on holidays - hmmph!)  I was told by the experts that given the reoccurrence of the problem, I should see a surgeon and get the cyst removed permanently.  On July 25th, I did just that.

The surgery entailed (no pun intended) making a long incision on my "back" (I'm trying to be tasteful...), and then the doctor removed the grape-sized cyst surrounding my tailbone.  Because nothing is ever easy with yours truly, that incision refused to heal.  After 1 1/2 weeks, the surgeon removed two of the stitches only to be greeted by a rich field of infection.  For the next two weeks, he instructed my dearest Mr. Wright to stuff the wound with medicated gauze nightly until it healed.  Again, because nothing is easy with me, it didn't heal one bit.

In mid-August, I underwent a second surgery in which the doctor opened and irrigated the wound and inserted a wound vac.  For those of you who don't know what a wound vac is, here's an overview:

1) A sponge is inserted into the wound (a process that feels something like childbirth)

2) The wound is vacuum sealed with this magical tape that acts a lot like Saran wrap

3) A suction cup and tube is applied to the wound

4) The device shown above constantly pumps moisture from the wound through the tube and into the clear plastic capsule.  

It's pretty amazing technology, but I had to carry this unit with me everywhere I went, wasn't allowed to drive because of the effects that the hard-core painkillers had on my consciousness, required home nurse care 3 times a week, and smelled like a rotting animal.  This went on for four weeks.  Luckily, my positively awesome employer allowed me to work from home for much of this time.

Four weeks ago, the wound vac was removed (at which time I did the victorious Rocky dance) and I went to Costa Rica.  (More on that trip later...)  It was an awesome time, but at some point during the trip, the freshly healed wound split open.  Last Tuesday, I went to see a new surgeon (that was located much closer to my home) about this.  I am now on antibiotic and we are back to square one - Kenny is stuffing it with gauze daily. (Which he loves, because it makes him feel really important.)  Late last week, a second hole appeared, so I have something like a 3 inch tunnel in my lower back oozing nastiness 24/7 and am battling an on-and-off fever (and all the symptoms that go with).  

It's looking like a third surgery may be necessary, which isn't exactly on my Top Ten list.  And I don't want that nasty-smelling wound vac again!  I feel positively defeated. I could use prayers.  And a lot of them!