You know how they say no news is good news? Well …
The last time I was here was a year ago. My last post was an Easter table setting. It seems like forever, but it also seems like yesterday. I had mentioned in my Hello 2016 post that I just wasn’t “feeling” up to blogging much. I had lost interest in something that I enjoyed for years. I didn’t realize it then, but it was a symptom that my thyroid wasn’t working very well.
It was just about a year ago that our son, who was still living in Boston, was going through a tough time and he decided he wanted to come to Cleveland to live with us. We thought that was a great idea and I got to work cleaning out my office, which was turning into a junk room anyway, and guest room to give him some space of his own. He moved in with us at the end of May. At the end of June, I had what I thought was a gallbladder attack, but it turned out to be a perforated appendix. I ended up having my appendix out at the end of July. I hadn’t been feeling very well all year, but I had so many distractions to keep me from thinking about it. I thought that it must have been my appendix that was bothering me all along. But I didn’t feel better after it was out. By the end of the summer, my doctor was ordering all kinds of tests and blood work. To make a long story short, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the fall. I had my thyroid out in November. It took several months to recover from that surgery. So needless to say, last year totally got away from me.
I am just now feeling back to my normal self. One of the things that kept me busy while I was recovering was painting. It was something fun to do when I didn’t have much energy. My favorite medium is watercolor and gouache. Above is one of my favorite paintings. You can see more of them on Instagram. I’ve been accumulating so many different paintings that I decided to open up an Etsy shop to sell prints and some originals. The shop opening date will be April 24th. It feels good to be creating and active again.
One fun thing that happened recently was our house was featured on Design Sponge. You can see the tour here.
And it took 18 months to grow out, but my hair is now it’s natural gray color.
Also, I did not get to Maine last year. Not even once. I did get there for New Years Eve and the last time I was there was the previous New Years. We are actually thinking of selling our home in Maine since it is really hard for us to get there now.
I think I’ve updated you on all that has happened around here over the last year … the highs and the lows.
I’m sorry I abandoned the blog, but I had the terrible brain fog that goes along with thyroid problems and had so much trouble writing. It really felt like an impossible task. I’ll be updating the blog a little and adding the Etsy shop information shortly.
Happy Easter friends!
So glad you are feeling better. Have you thought about using homeaway.com to generate revenue from your house in Maine? Several of my friends use HomeAway for there 2nd and 3rd house and get quite a nice annual savings. Anyway, something to consider.
Glad you are back! Continue to take excellent care of yourself! ?
Thank you Kelli! We do have the house rented this summer for seven weeks so far.
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So happy to see you back, but I’m so very sorry for all you went through!! Praise God you are better and back to your normal healthy self. I can’t wait to see your prints – how exciting!
Thank you for all your kind words Kristen!
Hi Mary so glad to hear you are back up and doing well. I have loved seeing all your painting on Instagram. Can’t wait to see what else you do! Happy Easter!
Thank you Kelly. It is good to be able to get back here. Happy Easter to you too.
So glad you are feeling better – and back to posting! I have missed your posts – and beautiful home pics. Best wishes for a sunny and happy spring and summer!
Thank you Lori Ann. Best wishes for a beautiful spring to you too.
Mary so happy you are back! Looking forward to seeing and reading your blog. God is good.
Thank you Mary! Yes, God is good.
Mary, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been ill, but glad you are doing better and getting back to the things that give you pleasure. I love your painting! I have thought of taking some painting classes. It looks like fun, and your style is really fun and colorful!
Thank you Vicki! You should definitely try your hand at painting. It is so much fun and very relaxing.
HI Mary, I am so glad to read this post as I was just wondering about you recently and thought you had simply ‘retired’ from blogging. I’ve missed your posts and your home decor projects. I’m sorry to hear of all your illness and surgeries but also happy to know that you are feeling so much better now. It’s wonderful that you’ve found a new love for painting (I love the one you shared) and hope you continue to enjoy it. I wish you a wonderful and healthy year ahead! I’ve not been blogging nearly as much the past year – perhaps once a week – just because. I’m on Instagram and enjoy that though. Take care of yourself. Blessings,
Pam
Thank you! I enjoy Instagram too, Pamela. It was easier for me when I didn’t feel up to writing. T
welcome back, your hair is beautiful xx
Thank you Chris!
Welcome back. Your posts have brought a little sunshine to my life. I’ve incorporated a few ideas into my home/life. Your style is simplified casual comfort which makes me happy.
It’s important to take time for yourself and your family. Share with your readers when it supports what works for you. Enjoy the spring ?? and all it brings.
Jan
I’m so glad you found inspiration from some of the ideas I shared Jan. I will definitely take it easier this time.
Welcome back. I love your hair !!
Thank you so much Ann!
Oh Mary – it’s so wonderful to see you back. Occasionally I saw your instagram pictures and often wondered what you were up to. What a year you’ve come through!!! Your hair looks fabulous (I haven’t been brave enough to try this yet but have been on the verge a few times). Love that you painted during this “down” time. Can’t wait to see your work. Now I must go look up what gouache medium is? So great to hear from you …. Take care of yourself.
Thank you Rosella! You probably already read about it, but gouache is an opaque watercolor medium.
Hello – I’m just “finding” your blog and am glad to be here! Found it via a post on a yolk-centered Easter egg, and wanted to share that I found a source (I have no interest in the company, just an interest in getting a couple of their eggs!) – we had these growing up in Trenton, New Jersey, and they remind me of my kind mother and our own baskets! Glad you’ve recovered and glad I found your blog. Here’s the link: https://www.allfathers-candy.com/collections/original-yellow-yolk-coconut-creme-eggs And Happy Easter, all.
Thank you Jacqueline!
You have weathered the storm! Glad you are back.. Prayers and positive energy going out to you..
Thank you Charlene!
Welcome back Mary! So glad you are feeling better!
Thank you Diana!
Glad you are feeling better! Thyroid dx is tricky sometimes. Keep improving!
Thank you, Nancy! Yes, it is very tricky. I’m so glad mine was caught early.