bits and bobs

Time flies…

Published on May 14, 2021May 14, 2021 by debmunnLeave a comment

It always comes as a shock to me when I realize how fast time passes. It’s hard to believe it’s mid-May already.

The lilacs have bloomed! It’s one of my favorite weeks (give or take a day or two) of the year. The beautiful shades of purple, the aesthetic and that amazing scent… there’s nothing like it!

I am now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and I’m so, so happy! I had very mild side affects after my 2nd Pfizer vaccination, which completely went away with some Tylenol.

I was in the office yesterday and a coworker and I heard the breaking news that fully vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks anymore. We were so happy! We’re both fully vaccinated and it was a bit of hope for what’s to come at work. We live a cubicle life, but with COVID-19 having our office working remotely, the few of us that come into the office have commandeered empty offices and conference rooms so we don’t have to wear our masks all day. I must admit, it’s really nice to be in my former boss’ office. The view is fabulous and it’s so big and open. I’m spoiled and lucky and I am thankful for every minute of it. I know it’s not forever, but I’m going to make the most of it while I’ve got this opportunity.

Tomorrow I’m taking a little road trip to visit family in Connecticut. My uncle, who is also my Godfather, is turning 80 on Monday and my amazing cousin is throwing him a little party with a very small group of seven fully vaccinated family and family friends. I’m so happy we’re able to safely get together to celebrate, no matter how short a visit it is. I truly feel blessed for the opportunity to be with some of my family and to have been vaccinated. There’s a glimmer of light at the end of this very long tunnel.

Lately I’ve become a bit obsessed with acrylic pour painting. It’s so freeing. A much needed creative outlet I’ve been desperate to find. I’m very, very new at it but loving learning more and more. My first two pieces were small canvas boards. I didn’t want to jump into large canvases until I knew a little more about it.

I seriously can’t wait for Sunday to play with some larger canvas and some new paint colors. I’m definitely drawn to ocean colors, but I’m itching to get some red and gold on a canvas to see what happens. I’m just fascinated by the whole process. It makes me giddy to watch the transformation from a puddle of paint to actual pieces of art. It’s so gratifying.

I hope the weekend brings you good health and happiness!

Easter Sunday

Published on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021 by debmunn1 Comment

If you celebrate the Easter holiday, I wish you a Happy Easter. If you don’t celebrate Easter, I wish you a Happy Sunday! Whatever you’re doing today, I hope it brings you joy.

April is a tough month for me… not gonna lie. If I could crawl in a hole for a month and avoid the whole thing, I most definitely would. But I can’t do that. I’m steeling myself in preparation for all that April brings. My mum would have turned 77 on this coming Tuesday. That’s always a tough one. A very close family friend’s one year anniversary comes this week too. Next week is the anniversary of my aunt/godmother’s passing and the following week is the anniversary of my mom’s passing. Ugh.

I’m generally a positive, glass half full kind of person. My mum definitely was, too. I’m sure that I’m this way because of her. I’m holding onto that as tight as I can right now. I’m surrounding myself with positivity, trying to stay busy with things that bring me joy, planning some creative projects and saying a prayer to whatever higher power wants to listen to me. If that doesn’t work, there’s always a nice glass of wine.

On the bright side, my stitches are out and I’ve had my brace refitted for my post-op hand. Very sore, but progressing. I should start OT in a couple of weeks. That should be interesting.

The bruising is hanging on, but the incisions look great! The one on my wrist is suuuper sensitive but is looking so great. The one on my palm is coming along and is now itchy as well as sore. I’ve been slathering them with antibiotic ointment and now that the wounds have healed I’m moving on to a more moisturizing treatment. My skin is dry to begin with and having my hand encased in a cast and then bandaged in a brace for the last month has taken its toll. Time to add some retinol to the mix! Thanks to Beauty Pie, I’m ready to do this!

More on Beauty Pie later. I’ve amassed a good selection of products and will put my thoughts together for you. I still have a couple of things that I need to give a fair amount of time before they get a yay or nay.

Be well!

Progress…

Published on March 12, 2021March 12, 2021 by debmunn1 Comment

Lots happening in March already. Weather-wise, it came in like a lamb but in my little world it has been more like a lion! It has been a whirlwind 12 days so far. Lots of progress and almost of it going in the right direction for a change!

I had surgery to correct the De Quervain’s tendinitis and Carpal Tunnel in my left hand/wrist. My hand, wrist and forearm are firmly wrapped with bandages, cotton, a brace and probably some kind of gauze and it’s so thick that my arm feels like Popeye’s after a can of spinach.

I’ve got another week of being bandaged up. I can’t wait to get this stuff off. I know it’s what’s best to heal my incisions but this sucker is hot and itchy and it kind of hurts because it’s pressing on my stitches. As long as I keep it elevated it feels okay. Otherwise it does throb and I get some shooting pains at the incision sites on occasion. All worth it to have my hand end up pain-free.

A couple of days before my surgery I had a call with the head of HR at work. I had no idea where it came from and I was a little nervous given the state of the world right now. Turns out I got placed in a new position! I’m so excited to have this opportunity to learn more about this part of the business and honestly I’m feeling a teeny bit of relief.

I wasn’t feeling very secure in my last position. I had a call with the HRBP the day after my surgery and she is awesome. I hadn’t met her before and was so impressed! On Monday I had a meeting with my new boss to see if I’d be a good fit and 15 minutes into our conversation we confirmed my new position and I actually started 15 minutes later in a Teams meeting. It all happened so fast! It’s been a crazy busy week, which I love, and I’m very thankful and happy for the opportunity. I’m already super busy and that in itself is doing wonders for my mental state.

Next week is going to be crazy. I have a doctor appointment (which I made six months ago) in addition to my post-surgical appointment. My dad gets his second Covid vaccine next week too! I’m so excited for him to be fully vaccinated. I can’t wait until it’s my turn to get vaccinated. I’m finding out that so many people I know have had Covid-19. So many! So scary! I’ve tried to be so careful and so far, so good. I had to have a Covid test before my surgery and thankfully it came back negative.

Daylight savings time starts this weekend and spring starts on the 20th. Time is absolutely flying. I can’t wait for the nice weather to really start and for it to stick around.

Day by day the bestie beach days are getting closer and closer. I was never, EVER a beach goer. Hated it. I’m not a fan of the sun, being still or the heat. Hate it all. Yes, these are all things that are musts at the beach. I am a HUGE fan of the ocean though and last summer I sucked it up and went to the beach with my two best friends. Wow. Just WOW. I don’t know what happened, but I am counting the days until we can get back to our weekends at our little town beach. It’s keeping me sane.

Onward.

Published on February 24, 2021March 5, 2021 by debmunn2 Comments

It’s been a minute. I’m still digesting the events of last month but I can say with all honesty that my social media stress is MUCH LESS now that we’ve passed January 20th. I’m thankful and grateful for the tiny bits of peace and holding onto them with both hands.

Speaking of hands…

This one’s mine. My left hand. The one that hurt 24/7. As soon as elective medical appointments were allowed last year I made an appointment with the amazing Dr. K at South Shore Orthopedics. I had never been to an orthopedist before and Dr. K had come highly recommended by my PCP so I didn’t hesitate to make an appointment when it was finally an option. The photos aren’t new… they are from June 2020 when my custom splint was shiny and new. It’s battered and a little grungy eight months later, but it’s still one of the best thing that’s happened to my left hand since the pain started over a year ago.

Diagnosis was De Quervain’s tenosynovitis which is tendonitis that is caused by overuse of the wrist next to the thumb. Thankfully it’s in my non-dominant hand. I got a lovely cortisol shot and wore this brace for two or three months and my hand returned to its pre-De Quervain’s condition. 2020 Being what it was, the pain returned as I was preparing to say goodbye to a year that sucked more than almost any other. I think we can all agree on that one. I popped my brace back on for 90% of the 24 hours every single day for about six or seven weeks. Nothing. Just more pain. It’s not fun.

I called for an appointment with Dr. K last week and was lucky enough to get a spot yesterday. I arrived early and sat in my car for 20 minutes before going in because… COVID. I made my way to the end of the line (there’s ALWAYS a line) to check-in. After 15 minutes and a $50 copay I was in the exam room chatting with the doctor. Quick wrist/hand/finger exam and I got offered two options:

get another cortisol shot that probably wouldn’t fix the problem long term given my first round outcome
surgery to fix both the De Quervain’s AND the carpal tunnel that’s making my fingers numb

I took option #2. I’m looking forward to getting this taken care of once and for all… hopefully. Seven more sleeps! I cannot wait to get this done. I’m anxious about the mandatory COVID test I need to get and the recovery more than I am the procedure itself. I’m on my computer for work pretty much 80% of the time so I’m going to be hen-pecking this poor keyboard for a while. It will be interesting to say the least! I see lots of typos in my future LOL

It will be nice to be pain and splint-free this summer! No funky tan lines this year!

Until it’s warm enough to plant myself on the sand, I’m just going to relive last summer and prep for the upcoming season!

I’m trying…

Published on January 7, 2021 by debmunnLeave a comment

After yesterday’s disgusting events on the Capitol, I’m trying my best to get past the feelings I was left with. Never in my life did I ever think I’d see a sitting president’s supporters storm the Capitol with very little resistance; certainly compared to the troops set out for the peaceful BLM protests last summer. I’m left angry, dismayed, stunned and yet not surprised it happened at all. How sad is that?!

To get my head in a better place, I grabbed my new planners. They make me happy. My dad was kind enough to give me money for my birthday back in October so that I could order custom Van Der Spek planners as his gift to me. Such a treat! I’ve never had a VDS planner before and had been fawning over them for quite a while. They are gorgeous. I was able to get them both in waitlisted leather colors and customized to my specifications. They are the most gorgeous hues of pink and gray. Neutral enough for any accessories and enough color to stand on their own. Have a look…

The photo doesn’t do them justice. The leather is buttery and just gorgeous. The stitching on the pen case matches the leather on the Junior. I added charms from @judyplanslife and they are such perfect additions, though I’m not sure about their attaching points yet… they are temporary and, at the moment, being held in place with acetate sheets. Cleary I have a commitment issue; or just extreme indecisiveness. I’m thinking the latter. Either way I’m loving my new beauties!

December (almost) Daily

Published on December 20, 2020 by debmunnLeave a comment

I decided to give Ali Edwards’ December Daily another try. I attempted it last year, but never came close to finishing and kind of gave up. It’s a fabulous project and one I really do hope to complete this time. It doesn’t have to be finished in December, so I’m giving myself permission to take my time on this one. I often get caught up in the non-existent restrictions and become overwhelmed. Not this time… hopefully.

That said… supplies are somewhat organized and I’m branching out to include some hybrid layouts this year. I’m really enjoying creating digital pages to include in my album. It’s the first time I’ve ever done a hybrid and it’s kinda freeing.

I’ve got a couple of one-pagers done (and by done i mean just need to add one embellishment or day/date) and I’m feeling that my album will be more of those than 2-page spreads and that’s okay. Another “restriction” I’m trying to let go of this go-around.

I’m pretty happy with the (almost) finished pages so far. Hoping I can keep this going. The process is relaxing this year and I happily get lost in it for hours. It’s not the same as in years past (thanks COVID) and that’s okay. It is not a race nor a competition. I’m trying to keep this in mind while going through the process because it’s important on many levels. What’s good for me might not be good for someone else and vice versa, and that’s okay.

It’s coming along. Not rushing it. I’m stealing moments of creativity where I can and enjoying the process more this year than I have in a long time. It’s very different this year, for obvious reasons, but I’m going with the flow and taking things as they come.

Quarantine Christmas

Published on December 15, 2020 by debmunn1 Comment

Two words I never would have thought I’d be saying in the same breath.

Our little tree is up and adorned with felted wool garland and lots of lights. It’s all we could muster this year, and that’s okay. We have our candles in the front windows, which we haven’t done in years, and my mom’s favorite snowmen on display. They make me feel better, just a little bit.

There are just a couple of presents under the tree. I need to banish my dad to the living room so I can commandeer the kitchen table for my wrapping extravaganza. I honestly can’t remember what I’ve gotten him this year. I started quite early and completely lost track of my list. I sent my cousin’s and her son’s presents out today. Three big boxes on their way to Connecticut. FedEx is a blessing this year and not nearly as expensive as I thought it would be. Lo and behold I got home from shipping the boxes and found a gift I missed.

I’m having a hard time believing that Christmas is just 10 days away. How is that possible? It was just October, yet here we are… it’s December 15th and a major snowstorm is on its way.

The local meteorologists are predicting anywhere from 10 to 15+ inches of snow… it’s the “+” that gets me. My mother would love this. She always loved a good snowstorm when the whole family (all three of us) was home. She would make a big pot of meatballs and sauce… it was her go-to snowy day comfort food meal. Since I made that on Sunday, before I knew this storm was coming, I’m going to have to come up with another plan. Snowstorms call for comfort food!

It’s here!

Published on September 25, 2020September 25, 2020 by debmunn1 Comment

Image Credit: https://www.ethos3.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/5-content-marketing-conferences-to-attend-in- fall-2016.jpg

Fall has officially arrived and though I already miss summer Sunday “a.o.b.” with my two best friends, I am genuinely happy to have turned the proverbial page on the season. Fall is going to bring challenges in our socially distant gatherings, but we’ve got to find a way to make it work because our mental health needs it.

I’m looking forward to decorating for the new season but with the temperature rising (it should hit 80* again today!) it doesn’t feel right just yet. Instead, I’m going to open my windows and soak in the lingering summer air while I can.

During this time of working from home and social isolation, having the windows open and a fresh salty breeze off the bay blow through the curtains and fill my lungs is pure peace. The fresh air clears my head and fills my heart with hope and promise of new opportunities with every new day.

It does my heart, and head, so much good.

Oh, and happy FRIDAY! Have a fabulous weekend!

Bring on autumn… I’m ready!

Published on September 6, 2020 by debmunnLeave a comment

It’s truly hard to believe that I’ve been working from home since March 13th. In just one week it will be six months. SIX MONTHS! Let that sink in for a sec.

Since my last post I’ve made the conscious decision to try to devote one day a week to self-care. It’s been mostly on Sundays and it’s done wonders for my mental health during this time. My two best friends and I have been going to the beach for hours on end. No internet. No television. No negativity. It’s glorious! Socially distant girl time in the fresh air and sunshine. Heaven on earth!

Hoping for a few more of these beach days before the weather turns too cold. The ocean is getting colder for sure. The water today was chilly compared to last week, but we still went swimming. We needed our dose of “vitamin sea”!

It will be so nice when COVID-19 is under control and we can find some semblance of normalcy. Until that time comes, I’m holding on tight to these days with my two best friends. These ladies get me. There is no judgement, no putting on airs, no fake stuff at all. No matter what the next season brings, if I am lucky enough to have these two amazing women in my corner I know it will be okay.

We’re going to have to find something else to feed our souls come autumn. There’s no way we’re done spending time outside together. It’s so freeing and it really does do so much good for mental health.

Bring it on, autumn… I’m ready for you!

Meh.

Published on July 21, 2020 by debmunn1 Comment

I’m a very upbeat person… most of the time. This is not one of those times.

This is Zoey.

This little peanut has been in my life since April of 2005 when she was just 7 weeks old. I first met her when she was just two or three weeks old! She’s amazing. Smart, sweet, funny, loving, stoic, protective, fun and now she’s gone. After 15 years, I’m without my furbaby and my heart is shattered. I haven’t cried this much since my mom died two years ago. This nugget had me wrapped around her little paw. There is absolutely not one thing I wouldn’t do for her… except let her suffer.

That’s the deal-breaker that came on July 9th. Long story short, we think she had a stroke just as we put her dinner down. I scooped her up and put her in my dad’s arms and immediately called the vet. She wasn’t coming out of it so we knew it was time to say goodbye. I called VCA and made all the arrangements (yes, I want her ashes… and her paw prints… and everything else I can possibly get) and we jumped in the car and got to the animal hospital in 12 minutes.

They came out and got her pretty fast. We weren’t sure we’d be able to be with her because of COVID-19 but we were so relieved to get a vet that was okay with us being present… with masks (obvs) and gloves and a clear shower curtain with two “x”s cut into it to put your hands through. Not how I thought I’d say goodbye to my baby girl, but I’ll do whatever I have to do to be there with her.

I’ve gotta say… it was pretty peaceful. The vet gave her a sedative and she stopped fighting the paralysis that had taken over her entire left side. She knew we were there. We were able to touch her and talk to her and tell her how much we loved her and what a good girl she was… and she was. Once the vet gave her the final injection in her IV, she was gone in less than a minute. I thought it would be morbid or unbearable to watch or something completely different than it really was, which was quiet and peaceful and relief that she wasn’t suffering or scared or freaking out. She was at peace.

Zoey was truly the best dog we’ve probably ever owned. No offense to the four that came before her or the one she left behind… Zoey was just the best parts of all of them in one adorable little package.

I’m honestly so thankful that I’ve been working from home these last few months. I didn’t know it at the time but what a blessing it has been to have that time with Zoey. Extra (homemade!) treats, extra time outside, extra brushing, extra toys and extra love. I’m so very thankful.

I just really miss my little one.