Bits of November

It's hard to believe we're well into the month of November. I'm already focusing on so many happy things that are coming up these next few weeks and months. There are so many exciting activities and plans, from wedding planning and pre-wedding events to birthdays and traveling, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, my birthday, New Years, friends' weddings, the list goes on and on. In less than two weeks I'll be taking the train to Pittsburgh to visit some of my very best friends. Traveling is something I was unable to do alone with the expander, and when I did travel, it was painful and more exhausting than it should have been. But now, as I'm getting back to myself and will feel better and better each day, I can look forward to doing the things I love again, without being restricted by the expander and all the pain it caused. I know I've said it a million times, but life will be so much easier now. The things I never used to think about, such as how I sit at work, or driving, will be easier and better than before, and before I know it everything will become routine again. Now that the expander is out I won't be as tired from being in pain all the time, and I'll be able to go out to busy restaurants and bars without worrying about someone bumping into me. I'll sneeze without having muscle spasms. Running errands after work instead of rushing home because I'm in so much pain. These teensy things, which seem trivial to most, are such an important part of quality of life. They should never be overlooked. The ability to live life without constant pain and discomfort is something we should NEVER take for granted. Living six months with the expander taught me that. And now that it's out of my body, I appreciate, more and more, how blessed I am, to be able to move freely. It's such freedom. And it's also such a breath of fresh air, of relief. Knowing I'll have my life back. With that being said, here are some pictures from today (me voting!) and from the past few weeks.

{I voted!}

{My Essie collection}

{A bear my aunt, uncle and cousins sent me after my surgery. He's sat with me on the couch every day this past week. He's never complained once, not even when I watch Veronica's Closet on DVR.}