I want to start this post off first by thanking every one of you for your thoughts and well wishes when I first posted about being diagnosed with blood clots back in December.  It meant a lot to me to know that there were people out there thinking of me.

And since I’ve been posting about a lot of normal things lately, I figured it’s probably time to update you on how things are going, since it’s obvious I’m not dead or laid up anymore.

When I first posted about it, I was enduring two shots a day in the stomach of Lovenox.  The purpose of this was to immediately administer anti-coagulents right into my bloodstream to insure that the clot did not break loose and pass to my lungs, heart or brain.  The goal was to get me on an oral dosage of Warfarin but it can take about five days for it to manifest in the system and start doing some good, so the shots needed to sustain me until then.  I was also on Augmentin to counteract any infections I might have gotten (since they were initially thinking it was cellulitis) and Darvocet for the pain.

The only way the doctors could check if the Warfarin was working was to draw my blood everyday and test my PT/INR levels.  They were trying to get it to a level of 2.5 - 3.0.  I had to wake up every morning and head out to the lab to get the bloodwork done.  Not something someone who is terrified of needles wants to do first thing.  Since I was on the pain medication and could barely walk, I couldn’t drive.  I was staying at my mom’s house so she could give me the shots, one that had to be done at 1:30am because the initial shot was given to me at 1:30 in the afternoon and it had to be done on a 12 hours basis.  So she would wake me up and I would pull on my yoga pants, sweatshirt and slippers and we’d head out to the lab.  Then we would head home, I’d eat lunch, do some work and take a half an hour in the afternoon to prepare for the next shot and then deal with the pain of it as it subsided.  Then I would do some more work (thank god I could dial in and work from home!), eat dinner, head to bed and wake up at 1:30am to prepare for the next shot.  And my days just went on and on like that.

I had to make sure I was getting up to “stumble” around every hour or so.  I needed to move around to make sure that I didn’t get clots in the other legs.  I could only really sit with my leg up or walk around - I could not stand anywhere for long nor could I sit normally, like in an actual chair with my foot on the ground.

Truth be told, I didn’t realize how much the pain medicaton was affecting me until I looked back on it later and realized I was way doped up for the entire time I took the medicine.  I felt like I floated through those weeks which in a way was a good thing because I honestly think that the “numbness” was the only way I could successfully force myself to deal with the situation without having a ridiculous panic attack or stress overload.

So I spent a week at my mom’s while the shots kicked in and on Thursday the 11th, I was finally taken off the Lovenox.  Since I no longer needed the shots, I was able to go home and be with Steve and Sammy.  I love my mom dearly for helping to take care of me and taking off a week of work to help out but I missed my home and my bed and my doggie and cuddling with Steve.  So I limped home (because I still couldn’t walk) with the sheer joy of the fact that I didn’t have to endure those awful shots anymore.

The first night home was rough.  I think I pushed myself a little too far, thinking because I was off the shots I could do anything and everything.  I was still having a hard time standing without my foot hurting so when I tried to take a shower, it didn’t go over to well and Steve had to help me down into the tub and spray me off since I couldn’t reach our sprayer without standing up.

(The standing was an issue because the clot was blocking the circulation of the blood back up my leg, so when my foot was in a position for the blood to make its way down into the foot, it couldn’t go back up and would pool in my foot, causing extreme pain.  I even had a large red bruiselike spot on the top of my foot that was SO tender, I felt like I had broken it, which was why I couldn’t wear real shoes and had to be careful when anyone even touched my foot because it hurt so bad.)

I gradually got better though as the Warfarin started to take effect in my system.  It took me another few days before I could actually walk around like normal.  I spent about a week at home in my yoga pants dialed into work with my foot elevated.  Steve would make me dinner and just generally take care of me, bringing me my medicine and helping me to bed.

I was finally feel better enough to go back to work on the 18th.  I figured I’d go back on a Friday to give me a chance to get settled back into things while not having to go through an entire week.  It completely helped that Steve and I commuted in together that day so we could go to the Christmas dinner party for his work.  He was able to drive and take me to get my blood drawn and then I met him early in the afternoon for us to head over to the other shop for dinner.  I did well at work, elevating my foot and making sure I walked around on a regular basis.

They were still having trouble regulating my PT/INR and I was going to get my blood drawn every single morning up until last week.  Unfortunately, when it comes to regulating it, there’s nothing you can do as the levels can be affected by everything from sleep, stress, food, activity, etc.  But at least it was helping me get over my fear of needles.  Anyway, they had me on a 5mg every day dosage but as of Monday last week, they kicked me over to a 6mg a day and that was the first time I was allowed to skip three days of bloodwork.  When they drew it again last Friday, it was a bit high, so they had me take 9mg on Friday and 6mg yesterday and today and I go for a blood draw again tomorrow.

As of now though, I am doing good as far as handling things.  They fitted me for compression stockings and I wish I could tell you how sexy they really are but they do help.  The first day they put them on me, my foot was still hurting and I yelped so loud that the entire office was startled.  But once they were on, oh lord did they do some good.  I have to wear them everyday for at least six months which is fine now that it’s winter.  It’s just going to stink when it starts to get warmer.

I’m also completely off the pain medication and the antiobiotics.  I was finally able to wear real shoes the week of Christmas because the top of my foot had stopped hurting constantly.  I can drive again and work full days AT work.  I can move around and do housework and go out with friends and have a social life.  And I’m extremely happy for that.

I have stopped smoking completely and that feels amazing.

I am completely off of birth control and damn, that feels absolutely amazing as well.  I’ve been on it for ten years and ever since being off it, I really feel like myself again.  I’ve lost ten pounds.  I have more energy.  I have more interest in Steve and *ahem* other things.  My hormones are completely out of whack though, especially at this time of the month.  My skin is a little crazy too.  And (sorry if this is too much info!) because of the blood thinners and the fact that I’m off the BC pills completely, my flow is quite heavy and the cramps are crazy but they told me to expect it.  I’m also EXTREMELY tired, which is to be expected when I’m losing so much blood.  But the rest of the time, I feel really good and almost wish I had explored my options before going on the pills so long ago.

I’ve also had to quit drinking, at least for now.  Which, combined with the not being on birth control and being unable to smoke is kind of a lethal combination.  But the drinking was the hardest part, not because I’m a lush or an alcoholic but because you never realize how much you miss that glass of wine with dinner or that beer until you can’t have it anymore.  I don’t have to completely cut it out of my life forever, I’ve just chosen to abstain from it for now while they’re trying to regulate the medicine since it can affect my levels.

I can’t take any form of medicine, be it for pain (aspirin, tylenol, etc.) or sinuses and that is really affecting me.  I had two really bad sinus headaches that turned into migraines since I’ve been sick and I’ve had to endure the pressure, the pain, the nausea, the sensitivity to light without pumping myself full of medicines that would get rid of them.  I guess in the long run it’s good because I can teach myself not to be dependent on OTC’s but having to spend hours upon hours with that kind of pain is excruciating.  I’ve been using nasal sprays and Vicks to help clear out my sinuses enough to perhaps get rid of the pressure.

I have to be really aware of not cutting myself or banging into things because I bruise really easily and my blood doesn’t clot quickly.  Just yesterday, we were in Best Buy and I was holding the Wii Fit box.  It slipped out of my hands and when I tried to catch it, the perforated side of the cardboard cut into my finger.  It was a fairly deep papercut, one that in my previous life would have stung and bled a little but not been a big deal.  But I immediately panicked because I didn’t know how bad it was going to be and spent the next ten minutes sort of sucking on my finger.  It definitely took longer to clot but thankfully, it eventually clotted.  I just didn’t want to be that girl bleeding all over the floor of Best Buy.  People freak out at blood, you know.  As a result of that alone, I have to wear one of those medical alert bracelets informing anyone who might try to safe my life that I can’t be given pain medicine (like Tylenol or anything), since it interacts with the Warfarin.

I also still have issues walking and I think it will be like that for awhile.  My leg still cramps a little bit and foot goes kind of tingly numb when I’ve walked or stood on it for too long.  I still have a slight bruising on the top and my skin is really dry and itchy, which is apparently, also a side effect.

But overall, I am doing much better.  There’s still many adjustments I have to get used to and life changes I need to make.  But my mood has improved greatly and my general health is getting better.  I still have really bad days but I also have more good days.

And I’m just thankful to have those days.  Because things could have been a lot worse.  And I’m going to keep talking about it because if that allows someone to realize sooner than I did what they have, then I’ll have done some good in the world.

It’s okay for me to post this now, ten days late, because my decorations are still up!

Aside from EVERYTHING else, one of the worst feelings I had when they diagnosed me with the blood clots was the idea that I might miss Christmas.  I had no doubt in my mind that we would still celebrate but I was very unclear as to what capacity I would be able to participate.

Thankfully, after a week or so of intensive treatment, my condition improved and we slowly got into the Christmas spirit.  And I couldn’t have been more grateful that on Christmas morning, I was healthy enough to go to my parents house and eat delicious food, exchange gifts and watch movies with my family.

The thing with being as sick is that I was forced to reorganize my priorities.  In years past, I’ve stressed myself out to the point where I couldn’t even enjoy the holidays because there was baking to be done, cards to be completed and mailed, presents to buy, travel plans to fulfill and just general chaos surrounding what was supposed to be a joyous and heartwarming time.  But this year - this year I had an amazing holiday! I had to step back and pick only the most important things because my body wouldn’t let me push myself to that breaking point.  It was already there.

I had huge plans to decorate our house this year, since we sort of skipped it last year, which would have technically been our first Christmas in it (since we had just moved in and were traveling up North, we skipped decorating here).  I wanted to go all out and put lights on the outside, wreaths on the windows, ribbon wrapped around the poles.  I’m not talking over the top, just a nice and classy red, green and white theme.  I wanted a nice table decoration and a fancy mantle and a huge tree with all sorts of ornaments.  But things just didn’t work out like that and that was ok.  The first weekend I was home, Steve pulled our existing decorations out and helped me put up the tree.  I realized while unpacking things that the pickings were slim since I had never had a huge place to decorate anyway.  I just wanted the mantle and the tree to look nice.  I was actually ok with not putting anything outside but I had scored the white light up reindeer and spiral trees from Lowe’s for 50% off so Steve very kindly unpacked those and set them up outside.  They were the only thing we put out but they were festive enough.

The only thing that was really frustrated me was when I pulled both of the multi-colored strands of lights that, in previous years, I had used for the tree, both were broken.  In plugging them, I saw that only half of the strands worked for both of them.  And since I still was not allowed to drive or could barely function in a store, going out to get another was not an option so I had to make due with white lights and a multicolored star.  (Note: I like multi-colored on my tree and white on the outside of the house, though I am gradually leaning towards multi-colored outside as well.)

The tree, I realized, was crooked and that was because it’s a hand me down from my parents and a tree that we’ve used since at least the early nineties.  The top of it just wouldn’t stay straight.  I also had nothing for the mantle so initially, I just draped a bit of silly garland across it and hung our old stockings up (read: red and white with our names written in glitter glue).  We also realized that the tree, which had formerly fit very nicely into our tiny apartments, looked miniscule in our large living room, particularly with the high ceilings.  Since trying to by a tree at Christmastime means quite a bit of cash, I told myself I’d pick up a new one at the after holidays sales (which I did - a nine footer from Home Depot for $75 that is, unfortunately at this moment, backordered) and just tolerate this one this year.  And it did the trick, especially after I bought a few more ornaments.

Once I was able to get up and around, I headed out to Target, which was the ONLY store I stepped foot in over the holiday season (I can only sing the praises of Amazon and other online retailers for allowing me to complete ALL of Christmas shopping in time without having to bother with the crowds and stress of shopping over the holidays).  I was on a mission for stocking stuffers for Steve and myself, presents for Sammy and a few more decorations.  I completely lucked out when I came up with a theme for the mantle in a matter of minutes.

I love that it sparkles and is festive and that it’s not a traditional Christmasy theme.  And it sparkles!  Then, I got completely lucky when I realized Pottery Barn was running a special on their stockings and I scored three of them for Steve, myself and Sammy.  They only cost $12 a piece with the names embroidered and they are made of sturdy and soft velvet.  And Sammy’s is shaped like a little elf stocking, with a crooked toe and I find that absolutely adorable!

So the decorations were up and the shopping was done.  We had agreed with most of our families that we weren’t going to buy anything for each other and that sure made things a lot easier (on ourselves and our wallet).  We basically bought for the kids in the family - Steve’s niece and nephew, my brothers and sister and my cousin. And I got my parents the same thing that I got my brother and his fiancee - a scrapbook of our photos from Hawaii that I put together on Shutterfly (and I can’t sing their praises enough - their photobooks are absolutely gorgeous!)  I baked about six dozen cookies to dole out to our coworkers.  They were from refrigerated dough, but again, this year it was all about EASY!

Since all of that was out of the way, I was able to concentrate on the fun part of the holidays - food, presents and traditions!

The weekend before Christmas, Steve asked if I wanted to go the Festival of Lights with a couple friend of ours.  I don’t know if I mentioned before, but the Festival of Lights is a tradition for me.  We have gone every year that we were in Charleston with the exception of last year and I was highly disappointed that we didn’t make it then.  So I jumped at the chance to go when Steve mentioned it.

We waited in line to get into the park for over an hour because it was a Saturday night but the displays were beautiful, as always.  We unfortunately, didn’t get to park and walk to the little village they have set up (with gift shops, trains, carousels, and candy stores) because the only lot that was close enough for me to walk from was full.  Steve was even a good sport about it all even though I knew it wasn’t his favorite thing to do (he had told me earlier that he knew how much I wanted to go so he thought it would be nice to surprise me).  But overall, I’m really glad we made it this year.

Christmas Eve was very low key and quiet for us and it was perfect.  I got off of work at 12:30pm and after a last minute run to the grocery store, came home, picked up the house and wrapped a few last minute gifts.  I had put a small Butterball turkey breast in the crock pot before I left for work and the whole house smelled delicious.  Steve got home around 3pm and we sort of hung out a bit before I started making the sides for dinner.  At about five-thirty, I turned the turkey to warm and finished making mashed potatoes, stuffing and corn while Steve worked on the gravy.  By six, we were sitting down to our own little Christmas Eve dinner.

After dinner, we sat down with dessert (ice cream for Steve, cake for me) and watched some Christmas movies.  I saw Nightmare Before Christmas for the first time (good movie!) and Elf for like the millionth time (BEST MOVIE EVER!) and then it was time for bed.  Steve and I headed to the bedroom, but not before I snuck stocking stuffers and presents under the tree and we dozed off while watching A Christmas Story.

The next morning, Sammy woke us up by yipping at the back door (apparently he doesn’t even take a break on Christmas morning) and Steve got up to let him out.  I dozed in bed for another half an hour or so and then it was time to open presents.

I got Sammy some rubber squeaky toys that have the most obnoxious squeaks I have ever heard.  He LOVED them and FREAKED out over them.  He also got a new bowl and placemat, a tough nylon lizard toy, a bag of Greenies, a pack of three Nylabones that he can actually eat and a large Nylabone that he only chews on (since he can’t have pig ears).  Steve got me a wireless remote for my camera, a tripod and the Wii Fit.  And I got myself a book (Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult), some Burt’s Bees foot creme and a new loofah.  Both Steve and I got pajamas to wear on Christmas eve.

I got Steve parts for his car (some steering parts and stablizer bars for the frame), some tools that he needed, some movies, candy, a funny sign for his garage, and a few odds and ends that he could play with.

We then headed over to my parents with Sammy in tow.  My brother and his girlfriend came down from Myrtle Beach with their pitbull puppy, Damon.  We got there and said our hellos and munched on some goodies then opened more presents.  Steve and I got some very nice things from my parents - a new crockpot (with a timer), a jewelry box for me, a Home Depot gift card for Steve, the set of books by Charlaine Harris that True Blood is based on (AWESOME!).

Afterwards, we ate Christmas dinner (ham! delicious!, mashed potatoes, broccoli/cauliflower casserole, biscuits, stuffing) then we settled down to watch Fred Claus.  After all that excitement, we realized a good ten hours has passed and it was time to head home, especially since Steve and I had to work the next morning.

So we headed our home, our bellies full and our stash in tow and even Sammy went to bed right away.  We were happy and exhausted and overall, it was a really good holiday.  I was really glad that everything turned out the way it did, especially since at the begining of the month, I was worried that I wouldn’t even be able to enjoy Christmas.  And I have learned a valuable lesson that I hope carries over to next year - it doesn’t matter how many cards you send, how many cookies you bake, how many lights you hang up.  It only matters that you tell those you love that you are grateful to have them in your life.  That you enjoy the little moments.  That you realize how lucky you are to be here and to have a roof over your head.  That you recognize those who are less fortunate.  And that you make every minute count with those you love.

That, my friends, is the true meaning of Christmas and if I can say I’m grateful for one thing about this illness, it was being able to realize that the holidays were definitely more enjoyable when I took a moment to stop focusing on the tasks at hand and start focusing on what the season is all about.

I hope your holidays were just as joyful and even though I’m glad they’re over, I can’t wait until next year!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Start smoking again, then quit nine months later.  Spent New Year’s Eve sober!  Spent a glorious week in Hawaii.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I normally don’t make resolutions, just general ideals about how I want to change things.  That being said, I can’t remember what I wanted to change so I guess I didn’t keep them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope.  They either have babies already or aren’t ready.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

We lost our cat that we’ve had since I was young.  And Steve’s uncle also passed in August.

5. What countries did you visit?

We’re going to have to go with states on this one seeing as how I don’t even have a passport.  So, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Florida.  Yea, my life is exciting!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Some time to breathe and enjoy life, more time to spend with Steve and Sammy, more money! LOL and a clean bill of health.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

December 4th - when they found the blood clots; October 10th - when we lost Scamper; June 4th - the day my little brother got engaged

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Managing my fear of needles enough to do what I had to do to get rid of the blood clot.  Finally realizing that forgiving and forgetting isn’t always the best method, particularly when it comes to toxic people and situations.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not losing the weight, though not sure if it counts as a failure when you didn’t try in the first place.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Unfortunately, it all seemed to come at once - bronchitis in November, blood clot in December.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My Canon Rebel xTi, Steve’s Mustang (even though I didn’t buy it!), our Rachel Ray’s pots and pans, our grill (another thing we didn’t buy)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My mother, who took care of me when I was sick.  Steve, for loving me regardless of my flaws and supporting me through everything throughout the year.  Certain friends for being there when I just needed someone.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Someone who I had thought was a friend, certain family members and Steve, briefly.

14. Where did most of your money go?

The mortgage, bills, spending time with friends and food.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Hawaii, buying my camera, throwing my Halloween party, Christmas

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

“Low” by Flo Rida and the “Paper Planes” song (because it was Steve’s ringtone forever!)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? I’m generally the same because I’m always in a good mood around the holidays
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner
, but only a fraction
c) richer or poorer? Poorer, but hopefully that will improve in 2009

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Spent more quality time with Steve and Sammy, walked or exercised more, eaten better and saved more money.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worked less, closed the Inn for the summer (or maybe spaced out the visitors), and shopped less.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We spent a quiet Christmas Eve at home with a good meal, watching numerous Christmas movies.  Then we spent Christmas Day at my parents, eating some more, watching more movies and hanging out with family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

I fell in love in 2000 but I fall back in love with him every day.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Sons of Anarchy was my favorite but there was also: True Blood, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Heroes and Prison Break

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I’m too old to HATE people or even “dislike” them enough to let it affect me.  I just don’t associate with people who are all drama, all the time and that makes me life much quieter.

24. What was the best book you read?

I really liked the House of Night series and anything by Jodi Picoult.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Don’t expect some awesomely cool little know band here.  My taste is dictated by time which is purely mainstream on the radio crap.  That being said, Taylor Swift! Who knew? LOL

26. What did you want and get?

My camera, my Blackberry, the trip to Hawaii.

27. What did you want and not get?

Nothing major.  My life is blessed.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Wall-E.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 27.  It was a Wednesday night so we had dinner and I got presents.  We also went to Myrtle Beach the weekend before with some friends and had a really long but really awesome day.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A maid.  A gardener.  Less work obligations.  Not being sick.  A sugar daddy of my own.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Comfortable and functional with a bit of sparkle thrown in.

32. What kept you sane?

Friends, a lot of wine, and carbohydrates.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Gerard Butler.  Saw him on Leno and it was over.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Sarah Palin.  Yes, as a whole, she was an issue to me.

35. Who did you miss?

I missed having my true girlfriends living close enough to see on a regular basis.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Didn’t meet a lot of new people, at least not any that made a major impact on my life.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Take life day by day.  Anyone can become a statistic.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Roll on, roll on, rollercoaster.
We’re one day older and one day closer.
Roll on, there’s mountains to climb.
Roll on, we’re on borrowed time.

Looking Ahead to 2009 …

1.  What are you most looking forward to next year?

Paying off my car, buying a new car (hopefully a Mustang), a clean bill of health, a more leisurely life.

2.  What change would you like to make to your life next year?

Spend less time worrying about work and more time enjoying life, get more organized, rekindle my relationships, take more photographs and treat my body and soul better

3.  What change would you like to see in the world next year?

Obviously, I would like to see the economy improve but I also want to see some of the hope and inspiration that surround Obama’s election carry over into his administration.

Since I am not on the road at this time, I can actually give credit where credit is due. I blatantly stole this idea from G last month and decided I wanted to try and do it every month like her, mostly so I can remember the good things about each month.

I don’t do that enough: relish in the good things in life.

So without further ado, here we go!

For starters, Kraft Easy Mac. I’m starting with this because it’s all I’ve been eating for a quick lunch of snack lately. I may not have mentioned it before, but I have serious affection for macaroni and cheese of any kind. I have been known, on many occasions, to eat it for lunch on weekends or as dinner on random evenings. I prefer Kraft (or any generic equivalent where you add milk and butter) over Velveeta but am pretty much ok with all of it. But I had shied away from the microwaveable Easy Mac because microwave pastas with the noodles and the powder never seem to taste the same. When I was sick, however, Steve picked me up some Easy Mac so I would have to stand over a stove just to be able to sustain myself. And it tasted almost like the macaroni and cheese I would’ve cooked myself, but it was ready in three minutes and I didn’t have to dirty dishes to prepare it. And I’ve been eating it ever since! Probably not good since Steve told me my blood clot was probably caused by all the macaroni and cheese stuck in my veins.

Now, because of my illness, I spent a lot of time in my pajamas this month. ALOT!  And I have just a few conditions for my comfy clothes - they need to be soft, they need to be warm, and they need to be loose - or rather, they just need to be comfortable.  So when I was searching for Christmas Eve pajamas for Steve and I, I found this set at Target and fell in love.  The pants are a warm flannel but it’s thin so it’s not overcumbersome.  The shirt is also thin but the long sleeves and the fact that it’s pure cotton make it warm.  Both are super super soft and since they are men’s pajamas and I bought them a size bigger than would normally fit, they are loose and comfortable in all the places I need them to be.  They are made by Merona and I will tell you something - I love every piece of clothing I buy from the Merona brand name.  I even stocked up on some of their 100% cotton boxers for Steve and he won’t wear any other kind anymore.

I spent the past month being unable to wear real shoes.  Because of the clot, the top of my left foot was so bruised and sore that any kind of normal shoe only cause me more pain.  Plus, the entire foot hurt when I walked so hard shoes just made it all  that more uncomfortable.  But there were many days when I needed to hobble out to the doctor’s office or the lab to get my blood drawn, so I need some form of shoe that was suitable for the outside world, soft enough for my sore foot and easy enough for me to slip off when the pressure/pain built up and I needed to elevate it.  Cue these slippers.  I had seen them in Target a few weeks back and thought about getting but didn’t see a need as it doesn’t get that cold here.  So when my mom was in the store getting my script, I told her to pick these up for me and spent the rest of the month of December wearing these shoes.  And even now that I’m back to normal, they are comfy and warm and easy to slip-on and off and I highly recommend them.

Once I started getting better, but wasn’t at 100%, I had a lot of time to catch up on my entertainment choices.  We got Louis CK’s Chewed Up special in from Netflix and wow, is it hysterical.  I’ve always loved his stand up because his delivery and timing are superb and his stories are relate-able, at least for us.   And I feel like you’re not watching stand up with him but you’re just chatting with a friend who’s telling you stories about his life.  Hysterical stories!  He does this great bit about how his doctor is asking him about his health and weight, inquiring about how long until he’s full and how many *ahem* bowel movements.  And his reponse is along the lines of, “I don’t know.  How about this?  Every sh*t is an emergency!  Does that describe it accurately?” I was in tears for this whole special and I highly recommend you check it out, along with his other stand up.

I saw P.S. I Love You when it came on HBO and LOVED the movie.  I’ve never been a big fan of Hilary Swank and she didn’t really do it for me as the lead, but Gerard Butler = HOT! Jeffrey Dean Morgan = HOT! Harry Connick Jr. = HOT!  The story was fabulously told and very sweet and Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon were hysterical as her friends.  It was sweet and touching and it struck every female nerve I had deeply.  Plus, I see there was originally a book, so now it gives me something else I can look forward to reading!

It takes awhile for me to pick up on things these days and it’s always been like that for music.  I generally resist stars like Taylor Swift because, “pfft, the things these kids listen to these days!”  But every song I’ve heard of hers on the radio has been catchy and fun and I’ve quickly fallen in love with and “Love Story” is no exception.  I have been listening to both of her albums on repeat and love them both.  She writes most of her own songs and is gorgeous to boot!  Plus, she’s a fellow Pennsylvanian.  So yea, I’m kind of hooked!

And finally, some honorable mentions mostly dealing with things that have made my Internet surfing and overall life better.  Amazon saved my hide this Christmas season and not only let me finish my shopping about a week before but also kept me from having to step one foot in any store.  Even if I had been physically able to, I would’ve avoided retailers like the plague so I was grateful that I could find pretty much everything I needed and not have to get out of my PJs for it.

And keeping with my late adopter theme, Firefox and Facebook.  I’ve been using Firefox for months, but I just recently started using many of the plugins available for it and wow!  It’s amazing the little things that make surfing the Internet even more enjoyable.  And Facebook - well, I’ve been on it for quite a long time but it’s only been since recently that I started using it to its fullest extent and it’s awesome!  Forget MySpace, Facebook is where it’s at.

So there it is, my list of December Love.  Quite a bit this month, but there were quite a bit of things that I loved this month.  It’s the little things that make me happy! Here’s to a full year of the little things and I can only hope that each month finds me with enough strength and happiness to find joy in the small things.

Here, put these in your purse!

                  - Steve, as he hands me three slices of Kraft cheese. Apparently, Chick-Fil-A charges for extra cheese so we had to bring our own.