I guess what makes me stop and really realize how lucky I am is the fact that I had my first “attack” around March 3rd of 2011 and didn’t have surgery until May 10th of 2011.  I am one stubborn gal!!!

Since my surgery in May, I’ve been working to gain back my strength and stamina…doing my best to try and rid myself of excess weight, get my body back into some kind of physical fitness shape…the past couple of weeks have found me sleeping in instead of getting up and doing my early morning workouts that I started back around August 16th…and continued religiously until two weeks ago.  The break has been nice but I’m feeling fat and sluggy…it’s time to get back to my exercise and walking routines!!!

I have to laugh at myself because it seems as though I start the “reflection” mode the week between Christmas and New Year’s…glad I’m holding to one of my yearly habits!!!

I have to admit, having major surgery, then going through the recovery process, being without a pay check for 6-weeks and gradually finding my way back to a somewhat “normal” life has been interesting.

I became a grandmother for a second time.  The newest addition to our extended family was a son born to my oldest son and his wife.  The little guy is the remake or “mini” me of my son.  He looks just like my son did when he was a baby.  I am so proud of my son, his wife and my little grandson…a perfect little family.

I really thought I had found a “happy” place in my current employment…that was until the week before last when the drunken, derelict attorney fired his secretary.  Life at the office is no longer where I want to be…the problem is, I can’t seem to find another work home.   I’ve continued to apply for jobs and go on interviews…no one seems to want someone like me…I have a feeling it has to do with my salary requirement.

Nevertheless, things have not been all rosey and happy at the office this month of December…my boss has been less enchanted with me and I really thought I would get fired when I made an error on the e-filing of an order in a case…I filed the short version of the order, which the judge entered instead of the detailed, number specific order that my attorney wanted.  The opposing counsel started rumbling about not agreeing to a detailed order but rather liking the simple, unspecific order…so, my attorney was livid with me…it was the first time since my surgery that I got to experience what my body does when I’m under pressure…OMG, it was ugly.  I haven’t felt gut pain like that since before the surgery!!!  I really worked myself into a frenzied state and had pretty much convinced myself I would be out looking for another job on Monday morning.  Well, I got back from lunch and it had all worked out…the judge entered the correct order and all was right with my world again.  Let’s just say I’m getting too old to do such stupid things!!!

There’s a whole slew of things that have been going on in my life since I last wrote…I’ve got a new housemate living with me and my significant other until the guy figures out what he wants to do with his life…this is with regard to his 28-year marriage.  He’s been living here since July.

I’ve enjoyed a couple of new special friends (clients) but they seem to have fallen off of realizing their submission the past month…I’m waiting patiently to see if any or all of them return.

I usually am all about heading over to my favorite department store on the day after Christmas, but you know, the sales have changed and they simply aren’t offering enough off of the clothing that I would be interested in buying.  Not that I need anything new to wear…I would enjoy getting a pair of Ugg boots, but I’m simply not going to pay full retail price…mark them down and I’ll get a pair…I did order a couple of pairs of Lauren by Ralph Lauren boots from my attorney, sugar daddy, but that’s about it as far as great buys this Christmas season.

I did get a gift card for a sizeable amount from my least-favorite-submissive for Christmas but I’m waiting until the mark-downs are decent before using it.

That’s a brief run-down on where I’m at in my life…I’m going to try and reflect a bit more on this past year in the days ahead as I build up to 2012.

Just bits and pieces of my “normal” self…every now and then I have a flicker of a naughty, nasty thought…which is easily taken care of with BOB (battery operated boyfriend).  BOB is much more convenient and an immediate gratifier…much easier than a real man with a real cock…wait, is there any such thing as a “real” man with a “real” cock?

My 10-inch incision down the middle of my belly is healing as well as can be expected.  The last of the scabs (yea, I know gross, but real) are coming off leaving a bright red scar.  I’ve been doing some thinking of getting some of that scar reducing cream…does it really work?  I’m still thinking about it, gotta price it and see how that works into the scheme of things.

I’ve been tackling more and more yard work.  I finally got behind the lawn mower this past week and I must say, I miss my “therapy” lawn mowing!!!

I’m doing my best to come to some kind of terms with my recently diagnosed Crohn’s disease and the fact that 1/3 of my colon had to be removed.  Mix in there the fact that my health insurance company is now questioning the largest of my medical bills and asking for crazy documentation of previous health insurance coverage…seriously, if I had control over this whole deal I would have opted out of giving into the right, lower abdominal pain and gone on about my life without two hospital stays, an operation cutting down the middle of my stomach and being off of work for 3 full weeks equating to two partial paychecks and two full weeks of unpaid leave.

Stress contributes to Crohn’s flares, so I’m trying to find ways to ease the stress of the latest issues…it is what it is…

I miss my walking group training…I am determined to get back into the swing of things come this fall…surely I’ll be healed enough to manage getting back out and doing 2.5 miles three or more times a week.

I am tired of the mini hot flashes that I experience throughout the day…which dramatically increase at night.  The surgeon and my primary care doctor said these would decrease as I get healthier…I have figured out that these mini-flashes become more frequent when I’m stressed…finding that even medium in my life…where do I begin?

Such is the life of the mature sex goddess…

I’m tired of daytime TV…though I’ll be watching the last 3 shows of Oprah Winfrey.  I am tired of daytime TV but there are times when all I feel like doing is laying in my bed and watching TV or half-way watching, more times dozing…as I’ve said before, I’m not much of a nap taker, especially during the day…rest is an essential element to recovery from a major surgery.

Today is my youngest brother’s birthday.  He turned 42 years-old today.  My birthday is this Wednesday, I’ll be 53 years old.  I remember when my brother was born…I was thrilled to be getting a “baby” for my birthday!  I was 9 years old and a new baby was just so exciting.

I got all my errands done yesterday.  I was exhausted to say the least but thankful my dear friend agreed to shuttle me to all the destinations I had planned on my agenda.

Today, I will get out on the patio and take the petunias I bought and create a tower of cascading blooms and vines around my antique plant stand.  I’m hoping to place it on my front porch to give it a little more color.  I may just leave it on my patio and enjoy my creation out there…

More storms are predicted for the area.  Tornado season is in full swing…the ferocity of the tornadoes this year is unbelievable.  My thoughts and prayers go out to those folks that have suffered from these fierce storms.

Time for another cup of coffee and decide which project to attack before I have to take my first rest.  Have a good Monday.

That’s about it for my week in reflection and projection for the week ahead. Have a great week ahead!!!!

I would love to attend the going away party for my youngest son tonight, but I’m still not quite able to socialize, much less ride in the car for an hour to and then an hour back.  I’m also not ready to be around folks smoking and drinking themselves into oblivion, namely my ex-hubby, so I declined to join the festivities and told my youngest son to come by if he has a chance before he heads out to basic training for the next 3 or 4 months.    My son is growing into quite the young man.  I am very proud of all three of my children.   It amazing me  how well they have grown into thriving, contributing adults.

Game 3 of the Western NBA Play-0ffs is tonight.  I’ve turned into quite an OKC Thunder fan during these play-off series.  I’ve never really been a big fan of the pro-basketball leagues, but after attending an OKC Thunder game back in December with my dear OKC friends, I was hooked.

I think too, watching the OKC Thunder through the play-offs has been a good therapy for me through my health ordeal these past couple of months.  Tonight, the Thunder returns to OKC for Game 3 with the Dallas Mavericks…I’ll be cheering the Thunder on, hoping they’re able to get their game plan in gear and win again tonight!!!

Time for another cup of coffee…have a great Saturday and a fabulous weekend!!!

I got a few more plants re-potted and placed on my patio, which thrills me.  I love my patio and think of it as my oasis in the middle of a crazy life and time.

This will be one of the first years in 10-years that I haven’t had a Naughty, Nasty Birthday Party planned for my birthday, which is next week.  May 25th to be exact.  Looking back, I’ve had some pretty incredible naughty, nasty birthday parties…WOW, did I make up for lost time or what????? lol!!!!!  Maybe next year…there’s always next year, right????  This year is all about being thankful to have made it to another birthday, as well as healing.

My birthday usually falls right on Memorial Day weekend…this year, it’s in the middle of the work week so that really works out…I’ll still be on medical leave from the “real” job so really doesn’t matter what day or weekend my birthday falls.  This year I’m thinking a silly, romantic movie and a nice birthday dinner…probably not the usual fare of lobster.  For some reason, really rich, incredible food doesn’t sound all that inviting.  However, there will be chocolate birthday cake!!!  I’ve already made up my mind, chocolate cake and vanilla icecream…yummy!!!!

I’m hoping to get the surgical, steel staples holding my belly together out next week.  I have a follow-up appointment to see my surgeon on Tuesday, the day before my birthday…hopefully, everything is healing the way it is supposed to heal.  I will also discuss with him when I can return to work, if only for half-days…I’ve got to get back to work.  Every work day that I’m not at the office, I’m not getting paid…OUCH financially!!!!

I’m hanging in here…getting around a bit easier each day, though still finding myself okay with crawling into bed and just laying there and watching TV.  Though daytime TV is getting old…

Yes, I’ve made it to another Friday!!!

The news shook us to the core…how could this happen in our state, our country? Who did this horrific terrorist act on American soil?  How could this have happened?

As the years have passed, I have come to know a truly, incredible man that lost his wife on that tragic day. He has moved on with his life but as he has said, it is always with him and some days it hits you in the face like running into a brick wall.

We often take for granted the simple pleasures of day-to-day life…take a moment to reflect today, hug that loved one, tell that friend you’re thinking of them…you never know what tomorrow will bring…in a manner of seconds hundreds of thousands of lives were changed.

We will never forget.

There is a new receptionist…this is good, the craziness of having two sisters working in the same office has now been diffused. The new gal is young, excited to be working and not shy and bashful. She’s got some brain power working so that makes me wonder how long it will take her to figure out she can make more money for doing the same job at another law office…guess we will see!!!

I stayed the full work day, though left for a 2-hour lunch…which covered my doctor’s appointment and then home for lunch, then back to work. I found myself really tired about 4:15 p.m. which is when I should have bowed out and gone home. Instead, I stuck it out and made it to 5:00 p.m. I had started hurting, which I knew was going to happen…nevertheless, I’m feeling good this morning, just tired. The pain has actually subsided a bit more than yesterday, so I’m beginning to think there is hope.

I’m not obsessing about my yard…the weed crop is bigger this year…that disturbs me greatly. I did get the number of my neighbor’s yard guy, so I’m going to give him and call and see how much he will charge to mow and edge my yard, which will be just once or twice before I’m back into the swing of things…once I get it mowed and edged, I will tackle the weed control situation.

Time to hit the shower…time to get another word day underway.