A Thanksgiving Review

I figure if I'm going to say anything about our Thanksgiving holiday I had better say it now - it is the last day of November after all.

So I'll say this: Thanksgiving was delightful. I enjoyed delicious food with my favorite company. And then we played Apples to Apples Disney Edition and ate pumpkin pie - oh yes we did.

But my favorite part of the holiday was decorating the table with my grandmother's fine china. I love it dearly.








The next morning when I went into the kitchen I found a little surprise waiting for me:



Donald took our two place cards and connected them with a heart.
He can be romantic like that.

Blank Canvas

If there's one thing a cast shouldn't be,
it's blank.













There, that's better.

Surgery Day: A review in pictures and words

Elisabeth's leg, pre-surgery. Notice how her leg and foot formed one long line? They were stuck like that and her foot couldn't move.


Elisabeth: Why did they wake me up and bring me to the hospital at 6:00 am??? Something fishy is going on...


Fresh out of surgery and still snoozing.



...and then she woke up.


Her brand spankin' new, 'L'-shaped feet.


...dozing off again.


Right hand. Left hand. And a sock monkey for comfort.


Her magical g-tube. You may recall that this little beauty made my
Top-10 Thanksgiving-Thankfuls list.


Coming back to.
"Is this really happening or is it all a nightmare??..."



This little piggy.


Elisabeth had an extremely rough time recovering from surgery. She slept for the better part of the 3 days following the operation and when she did wake up she would moan, groan, and cry in pain (and have a seizure or two...or ten).

But last night she started returning to her old self again. She played with her toys and even smiled! Oh happy day, oh happy day!



p.s. Yesterday I celebrated 2 months since my spinal fusion! And I'm proud to report that I'm feeling better than ever. (But I wonder if the feeling is ever going to return around the incision site? My stomach is still all numb...)

Today:

Thanksgiving 2011

Last night I knelt next to Elisabeth's bedside as she whimpered in discomfort. There she was - with her legs bound - next to me - with my back bound. What a fine pair we made!

I whispered to her that sometimes we go through hard things, but in the end it's always for the better. This I know.

And even though she didn't comprehend my words, she did find comfort in my voice - and for that I'm grateful.

I wish a blessed Thanksgiving to all.

Elisabeth's Post-Op Update

The Home Show - Episode 7
~ on the road ~

Surgery Today!

Elisabeth will be going in for surgery this morning - so if you have a chance, send a sweet thought or two her way.



Elisabeth says,

"What's that? Surgery? Today?!? Oh, poo..."

**I'll try my best to post an update when she's out of the operating room!

Rock, Paper, Scissors

It's always fun and games...







...until someone loses.



On a different note,
Elisabeth needs a haircut:



Real bad.

Lisa's Home Show - Episode 6

Special
Thanksgiving
Edition



Arrgg. It drives me nuts when I watch these videos back and hear things that don't make sense. Like when I say, 'it makes me very good' instead of 'it makes me feel very good' (at the 6:03 minute mark). Ha ha....I probably talk like that all the time, randomly omitting words from my sentences.

Do I talk like that all the time???
(Please do tell - as I'm not the one listening to myself).

Ciao!

Illuminating

* My new lamp *

By day...





...and by night...

J'aime votre chapeau...

So yesterday I mentioned that Alexandra is starting to pick out her own clothes every day.

But I failed to mention that she's doing a darn good job at it.

She came downstairs for breakfast yesterday morning dressed in a plaid skirt, a white button-up shirt, and a navy cardigan - with a beret on top! A beret people - she wore a beret to school.

[Be still my heart.]






Too bad she didn't wear this today instead though; she has French lessons after school.
It looks very French, no?


Joyeux anniversaire à ma nièce, Dasha!

Queen E's Fashion

Lately, I've noticed that Alexandra has opinions when it comes to what-she's-wearing/hair-do's/etc. A part of me is a bit sad at the realization that she is growing up and that the time has come for her to start making some of her own decisions (at least on things like what-to-wear).

Elisabeth on the other hand - she lets me doll her up however I want and doesn't say a thing about it. And that's the way it's going to stay (and I'm not complaining).








[Elisabeth, waiting for the school bus yesterday morning.]

And a happy, happy birthday to my nephew, Jacob!!

Yoga Hut (after)

I suddenly realized that I never shared any 'after' pictures of Yoga Hut.
So let's do that now, why don't we?

[All photographs by Charlene Hardy Photography]












So the real question is, have you been in for class yet? If your answer is yes then you know how amazing my sister is at teaching yoga (and what a workout you'll get - just ask Donald - he went to class for the first time on Saturday and he was s-o-r-e.) If your answer is no then I have good news for you, I just happen to have the class schedule right here:

For even more information I suggest you visit her website at
www.yoga-hut.com

[My sister, owner and founder of Yoga Hut, Jennifer Coats. Isn't she adorable?]

See you in class!!