Purple Flowers

Every year since mi abuelita died random purple flowers grow in my yard.

I miss her so much. She was the only person in my life that thought I was perfect. She was perfect in my eyes. Now she's an angel in Heaven.

Missing her,
Monica

Protect Yourself

I will no longer live in fear.

Confident,
Monica

Villalobos Rescue Center

Villalobos Rescue Center is a wonderful place. It's a place where pit bulls and parolees get a second chance. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Villalobos Rescue Center
P.O. Box 771127
New Orleans, LA  70117
504-948-4505
Villalobos Website

xxoo,
Monica

Congratulations Brianna!

Perfect day,
Monica

Gallbladder Surgery -Tips and Hints

If you're reading this you may be having gallbladder pain. You may even have had a gallbladder attack or two. I've been where you are and it's not pretty.

Do your research. Find a surgeon who specializes in gallbladder surgery. Make sure you have all of your ultrasound images, hospital and doctor reports and most importantly the results of your HIDA scan.

Before your surgery get a notebook or your smartphone. Write everything down. Pain levels, dates of gallbladder attacks, and any home remedies you may have tried.

When your surgery is scheduled begin preparation for your aftercare. Clean your house, change your bedsheets and go grocery shopping. You may not even want to think about food right now, but there will come a time you want to eat again.

My grocery list consisted of organic chicken breast tenders, jello, popcicles, plain white rice, no yolk noodles, and my favorite muffins.

The day I came home from surgery I tossed the chicken tenders in the crockpot along with organic chicken broth (low sodium, no msg) and italian seasoning. I didn't eat it day one, but I loved myself for making it on days two and three after surgery. It was delicious over plain white rice.

Hints:
-Take your pain medication on schedule. If the pain gets away from you it will be almost impossible to get it under control.
-The first time you go to the bathroom after your surgery is going to hurt. Prepare yourself mentally for it.
-I bought a new bath towel. So glad I did. Drying myself off after showers with a new fluffy towel made me smile.
-Use a pillow pressed against your incision(s) to get in and out of bed. *Thanks Mary Anne*
-The breathing tube used during surgery will make your throat sore. Ginger ale helped mine feel better.

If you have any questions let me know!

Healing,
Monica

The Cleveland Clinic

I finally had my gallbladder removal surgery on May 5th at Hillcrest Hospital. I highly recommend the staff, the patient rooms, and the OR. I have never been to such an efficient high tech place. If you need to have surgery this is the place to go!!

Impressed,
Monica

TikiTrex

TikiTrex Channel Trailer:

TikiTrex

I absolutely adore this YouTube channel. Pam aka TikiTrex, is an urban explorer of abandoned places. I highly recommend her videos. She's from Canada, but the locations she explores are all over the world.

Her husband used to accompany her when she first began exploring, but he's no longer interested so she explores alone now. I think she's brave because a few of the locations look scary! Pam's voice is soothing and her camera work is amazing.

If you give her videos a look do yourself a favor and subscribe. You won't regret it!

xxoo,
Monica