:: A Life Update ::

Hey lovelies!

It feels like I haven't blogged properly all year and as a result, I've been staring at my computer screen trying to figure out where to start. As most of you know, back in May I had a bunch of tests done to try and figure out why my stomach was constantly sore, and then in August I had an operation to attempt to fix it. A few weeks later I was back in hospital with pancreatitis. I wish I could say that was the end of it, but since then I have been back in hospital twice, once with another bout of pancreatitis and then another operation (to remove my gall bladder and to take another look at my small intestine), plus a trip to the emergency to diagnose a DVT (basically a huge blood clot in the deep vein of my left leg). 

I came home yesterday, and I am so glad to be out of hospital. I'm hoping this is the last of it! It's sad when nurses, cleaners and even the ladies who take your blood walk into your room and go, "You're back?!" The good news is, I didn't miss the Hanson concert! The bad news is, I missed the Kelly Clarkson concert. But, really, the Hanson concert is FAR more important, right? ;) I had an amazing time at the concert and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Because I cannot help myself, I took lots of Instagram photos while I was in hospital and it would seem I now have some signature hospital poses. A 'thumbs up' when I'm in bed/just out of an operation, and a weird lip pucker when I first get into my gown. Don't ask, I don't even know.

Getting my blood clot checked. Originally it was only 2 inches long and not in my deep vein, so it wasn't a worry.

At the hospital after I found out my blood clot had grown and was now a DVT. This is my 'not impressed' face. I now have to inject myself with blood thinners twice a day until Christmas.

Pancreatitis: Round Two! At least I got to wear my favourite stripey gown.

This was taken on Wednesday. Please note my 'I'm wearing a hospital gown' face.

The morning after my surgery. I took one just after surgery, but decided no one needed to see it because I looked like death warmed up. Hot, amirite?

City views from my room!

A giant rubber ducky in the Brisbane River! Also, I am in love with the mustard and maroon house. It's historically listed and one of my favourite buildings in Brisbane.

I have the next three weeks off work, and I plan to spend it relaxing, watching TV (Gossip Girl and Dawsons Creek!), writing to my pen pals, and editing a bunch of photos to show you. My sister gave birth a little while ago and I can't wait to show you photos of my niece. She is adorable!!

Much love to you all.

:: Photography ::

Last week I had the pleasure of shooting the lovely Little Miss S. Little Miss S is turning one soon and her Mum wanted some photos to use for her birthday invitations. She was an absolute delight to be around, I fell in love with her cheeky smile and gorgeous long hair.

She's super cute, right?

It felt so good to be out and about again and not cooped up inside. I'm slowly recovering and slowly getting back into my old routine.

:: A Life Update ::

As some of you may have realised lately, I've spent a fair bit of time making BFFs with the hospital. Back in May I had a bunch of tests and scans done which found my small bowel was rolling up on itself. So, in August off I went to have it fixed. Since then I've slowly been getting sicker. At first I thought it was just my body complaining about the operation, but a little over a week ago I landed myself in hospital again - this time with pancreatitis. I was in hospital for a week in crazy amounts of pain. I have had pancreatitis before, back in 2007, and we couldn't figure out what the cause was, but this time the specialists finally figure it out! It would seem my pancreatic duct doesn't work properly, and spasms when I take anything stronger than paracetamol. So, all the times I've taken codeine for my stomach pain I've actually been slowly making it worse. Whoops!

I'm back home now, slowly recovering and trying to catch up on everything I missed. I've been away from work for almost five weeks, so going back will be fun (not). On the upside, I lost 10kg while I was in hospital! There is a silver lining to everything, my friends.

And, because I can't help myself, I Instagrammed my stay.

I finally got to see the city views from my room on the morning I went home!

And speaking of silver linings, here is the best news I have had in ages. I won a meet and greet with Hanson!! I am beyond excited. They have been my favourite band for 15 years! Yay!

:: Ballerina Baby Shower ::

How awesome are baby showers? I love them. I mean, I love all sorts of parties, but there's something special about baby showers.

Two weeks ago we hosted a baby shower for my little sister. She is having a little girl, and since she has been doing ballet ever since she was little, we figured it would be perfect to have a pretty pink baby shower with ballet undertones - tulle ruffles and little ballet food labels.

We had a pretty pink lolly table filled with all sorts of delicious lollies. Strawberries and cream, raspberries, milk bottles, musks, red heart lolly pops ... yum yum! My sister also made adorable floral hair pins as thank you gifts for her guests. Cute, right?

We ate yummy food like pink rocky road (bark, I think some of you call it?), mini sausage rolls, mini quiches, mini pies, yummy cheese and dip platters, a Dreamy Donut cake, and cute cupcakes! All in all it was a fantastic day!

I'll do another post soon about the fun games we played!

(Gorgeous rosette made by Alyssa of Red Bow Designs)

:: I'm Alive! ::

Well, I survived!

I'm back home after my operation and have been spending most of my time on the couch watching the Olympics. I've been watching the diving, synchronised swimming, and track and field. My recovery has been pretty good so far. I'm not in too much pain, but I have been pretty sick with the same symptoms I had before I went in, so I'm a little worried about that. But, I'm just hoping my body will calm down over the next few weeks.

Super sexy hospital lingerie

I had two signs that everything was going to be okay before I went in - one of them was that I got to wear my favourite of the hospital gowns available (it's the small things). The second was that 'Call Me Maybe' was playing in the pre-op area - this is known as Dance Party/Anthem to my friend Alyssa and I. I get excited every time I hear that song. Mr LG is so sick of it.

White stockings are all the rage in Summer 12/13

Sooooooo drugged up

Gotta love hospital food

Love flowers!

Cat hot water bottles

Is there a female version of 'Chicks dig scars'? Ha!

:: Package Pals ::

How good are blog swaps? I love signing up for them. There's the excitement of finding out who your partner is, and the fun of putting together the perfect package to send them. A little while ago I participated in Shannah's Package Pals Swap. This swap had no theme, instead we had to read our partners blog and figure out the perfect thing to send them. And, the best part was that my partner didn't know I was sending to them, just as I didn't know who was sending to me!

:: What I Received ::

The amazing stash above was put together for me by Emily from little dancing bears. Perfect right? Green sunglasses, stationery, stickers, gift tags, bows, fingerless gloves (very handy in this chilly weather we've been having, thank you!) - oh me, oh my! I was VERY spoilt! Thank you so much, Emily!

:: What I Sent ::

I sent the above to the gorgeous Sabrina of The Year the Pumpkins Arrived Late. I spent some time scouring her blog for some ideas and I found a very helpful '101 in 1001' post. I decided to theme a few of my gifts around helping her achieve a few of the 101 things on her list - send a message in a bottle (or three!), learn to knit, and finish a colouring in book. Sabrina is also a huge Diet Coke fan, so I sent her some Coke Lip Smackers (as close to Diet Coke as I could find), and she is also a fabulous pen pal, so I sent her some pretty pens, washi tape, and stickers. I also sent her some postcards (not pictured). You can read Sabrina's post about what I sent her here!

Thank you for putting such a fun swap together, Shannah!