Happy Fashion Friday, friends!  I am now prepared to write a review of my cataract surgery experience!

Simply put, my cataract surgery experience has been awesome…surprising…and refreshing…all rolled into one!

After a recent foot surgery debacle, I confess that the words “cataract surgery” had be very nervous.

The thought of surgery on my eyes was a little frightening at first…even though so many here said that it was a piece of cake.

You were right…it really was a piece of cake.

That surprised me so much…in fact…I would rather do cataract surgery than go to the dentist.  Seriously!

Because even with numbing pain killing treatments at the dentist, it is still uncomfortable at times and afterwards can be painful for awhile.

But, there was no discomfort with my cataract surgery and no pain afterwards…I was a very good girl and followed instructions and still following instructions now.

I have one more follow up in two weeks with my eye doctor and until then will continue one of the eye drops.  (One nurse told me to keep them in the refrigerator for a cooler drop and it does feel better to do that)

But, I have been cleared for regular activity…and my vision tested 20/20…with the need for 2.0 readers for my phone and smaller prints.  I was also tested for reader strength.

It is so amazing that this can be done.

When I walked out of the doctor’s office two days ago, I was smiling…the air was cool and refreshing…and church bells were actually ringing.  No joke…it was a moment!  A thankful one.

Three days ago, I walked into the kitchen…flipped on the lights…and asked Mr. B if he had changed a few light bulbs.

He looked at me confused and said…NO.  But, the room was so much brighter than it had been, I just felt like the bulbs were changed…when it was my eyes that changed.

The veil has been lifted.

MY CATARACT SURGERY EXPERIENCE: NOW WHAT?

Now, I know this is vanity, vanity…but I have worn glasses for so long, I am struggling with how I look without them.

It will take some getting accustomed to once again. 

These are a pair of old glasses from years back, but they are still too strong for me to wear.

My hair appointment is today, but I just could not sit still.

So, yesterday I put on one of my favorite colors from last year in my spring palette…the Chico’s color dried roses…I sure hope it comes back.

And I headed out to look at readers.  My doctor discussed the importance of good lenses and really is not a big fan of what you see in the big box stores, gas stations, or drug stores.

So, I stepped into a place near me that makes the readers in one day.

I did find several there that I liked.  There are many places like this in Abilene that I can share with you later.

I came home with a couple of them that I will have for tomorrow and to get me started.

One confirmation I received from this initial trip out is that I do look best with color.

I tried a neutral tan and a simple gold and looked washed out in both.

Glasses and sunglasses are now a huge new accessory for me so I do want to have some fun.

But it was this red and pink stripe pair of sunglasses that really caught my eye.

The woman helping me, Kayla, and I both agreed that these sunglasses were for me.

All of my current sunglasses were prescription glasses and of no use now.

I will wear these for you soon…just wanted to get them in a picture with my hair done.

So, today is the hair…and this weekend I hope to organize the closet now that I can look at the colors with new eyes.

Then next week…my return to the gym at the Y.

When I say that cataract surgery has been refreshing what I mean is that it is a new uplifting experience for someone in their 70s.

I feel younger and healthier….and a little revitalized.

I relate to having a fresh start every now and then, and have been surprised that cataract surgery would be a part of that…but it is….a huge part.

Thank you, ladies for all of the prayers and encouragement for my cataract surgery experience.  You were really the team that settled me as I went to the first one.

I hope we are able to take good pictures this weekend and show off the new me!

Until then…

EMBRACE TODAY & KEEP SMILING!!

By Pamela Lutrell

For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way and show support for this blog.  It means the world.

AND…visit my NEW CURATED SHOP where I will be adding my finds on a regular basis.

I wonder what Tux would look like with glasses?

Happy Friday, all!  Welcome to a new post…Cozy at Home + a soup recipe…..soup and cozy just go together.

This post about cozy at home was written three days ago with the faith that all would be well with the first cataract surgery.

Everything around me has come together right now to be cozy at home.

Recovery from the surgery…and a winter blast of cold into Texas…with possible ice and snow.

The timing in of my life right now and all it entails is aligning perfectly.  Thank you, Lord!

So join me as I share how I will be cozy at home this weekend….

COZY AT HOME + A SOUP RECIPE: COZY ATTIRE

When I am dressing to be comfy cozy, but nice, at home, I often turn to kimonos, wraps, ruanas, and ponchos.

I share with you selections from J.Jill’s New Arrivals on Wednesday, but in January, I also purchased three J.JILL RUANAS on SALE….and with 40% off the sale prices, all three were in the teens.

To be cozy at home, I am wearing one of those ruanas over my brown comfy pants from the CHICO’S ZENERGY LUXE COLLECTION...warm and soft.

Oh yes, and if you are cozy at home, take time to look over the CHICO’S NEW ARRIVALS...lots of black for you winter palette ladies.

My tank is from another soft, comfy collection I like at Talbots.

It is the AIRKNIT STRETCH V-NECK TANK IN IVORY…on sale.

In this, I am happy to receive visitors who may stop by, or sit cozy under a blanket near the fireplace.

Also, when I am cozy at home, I am most often wearing one of my TRAVELTIME CLOGS from Easy Spirit.

I will have more for you tomorrow from Easy Spirit, but always try my discount code PAMELA20, for an additional 20% off…it works for most of their promotions.

I do love my Traveltime Clogs.  And there are over 60 choices to select …I do own more than one.

I also want to mention something I have learned through the cataract experience.

First, I will not be able to wear makeup for almost a month…disappointed, but it is what it is….right?

Also, I must now use an oil-free eye makeup remover.   

This is the one I am going to try….NEUTROGENA OIL-FREE EYE MAKEUP REMOVER.

Does anyone use this one?

COZY AT HOME + A SOUP RECIPE: TOMATO BASIL SOUP

On Monday, when I wrote about Addie’s soup event in her boutique, I did not have the soup recipes.

I am going to make this one…it was so good and Mr. B loves tomato soup.

Tomato Basil Soup

This recipe is my favorite Tomato Basil Soup recipe. It is part of my family’s cookbook, contributed by Jennifer, my sister-in-law. It’s easy, delicious, feeds many, and is so yummy with cornbread or a gooey grilled cheese.

 2 cans (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes

1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth

18-20 fresh basil leaves, minced

1 tsp. sugar

1 cup whipping cream

½ cup butter

In a large pan, bring the tomatoes and broth to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add basil and sugar. Reduce heat to low; stir in cream and butter. Cook until butter is melted. Yields 9 servings.

Thanks to Addie for sharing her recipe with the rest of us!

Just looking at this makes me want a grilled cheese sandwich…now that’s cozy at home!

Here is where I will most likely spend most of today.  We do have snow and ice in the forecast and temps as low as 12.

Don’t make fun…this type of weather shuts down Texas…we are not accustomed to it.

But I will be Cozy at Home with this soup recipe…and hopefully healthy recovery. 

Looking forward to the next one and singing…I Can See Clearly Now the operations are done…..

Thanks so much for being here, and I will be here tomorrow with a Saturday post…until then…

EMBRACE TODAY & KEEP SMILING!!

By Pamela Lutrell

For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way and show support for this blog.  It means the world.