STOP THE PRESS I LEFT THE HOUSE
And, mind you, this was a real outing. There were no doctor's appointments, it wasn't a 15 minute errand that anyone drove me to (just to save sanity), it was a real, honest-to-goodness, family outing.
For this momentous occasion, we went to my fav, Sister Cities Park. This park, this genius of a park, has an awesome coffee shop/patio that are located next to a (heavily chlorinated) wading pool….
I'm going in
…which is connected to a tiny series of rivers that kids can climb into and around and ANDAND? Float boats down. THIS PLACE. I TELL YOU.
Aaaand this is roughly how far I got before I remembered: Surgical recovery. Mike was all, "BABE! GO SIT DOWN!" but he did snap this pic first so there you go. But he was right, so I went back and sat.
And just so we're clear, by 'wading pool', I mean this:
Even R was soaked. And since he's a total shit/an ever-so-generous sharer, he made sure there was water enough for everyone.
You may have noticed that I'm pretty flat chested these days. Under this tee is a fairly gruesome assortment of bandages, wrinkled excess skin and…wait for it…a sports bra. [shudder] God, how I haaaate those things. But the tightness does help with the pain, and so I wear it. Even out. And this tee is one of the few things in my closet that can completely hide all of the crazy underneath.
It's kind of a campy tee, not the ones I usually wear (which ALL show the sports bra)…but I was kinda feeling the campy-ness. Retro, maybe? Ironic? In any case, so what I wore when I was 12.
(wearing: t-shirt….shorts – similar and also like these..tied shirt – similar…sandals – similar)
Tying shirts around the waist – I'm starting to see more of this. And then Lena confirmed it firmly as a trend. Which makes me laugh…we did this in high school, too, but it had more to do with weather than being a thing. But HEY. It's a practical thing, so count me in. Again.
And since the tee was so camp and so tween I rolled the sleeves, added some bangles and decided faux-leather can pretty much save anything. Even a hidden sports bra.
I lasted almost two hours, and needed the rest of the weekend to recover, but honestly? TOTALLY WORTH IT. This whole "leaving the house"….I mean wow. I may try it again. Real soon.
xo,
S
(a) That’s the most brilliant idea for a park I’ve ever seen. I want to build one in my ‘hood. If only.
(b) You look AWESOME (sports bra and all), rocking the campy shirt. Well played, as always.
(c) Praying for your quick and full recovery.
Love the look! You are one hot momma, bandages and all! I have been following ANMJ for years, copying you shamelessly and admiring so much, not the least of which is the way you are dealing with everything with grace and class. I am praying for you!
Yay for Sister Cities! We live a few blocks away and it is great!! (assuming your kids are beyond the bolt-and-run phase of toddler hood, then not so much).
Take it easy mama–you look great, though!!
You make recovery look pretty darn good there mama! Wishing you well.
Oh, and I LOVE the t-shirt vibe. If you haven’t discovered some of the terribly inappropriate and geek-approved styling at Bustedtees.com, check it out. I have way too many t’s from there but love them all!
From being on hospital bedrest at 25 weeks until delivery, and then a past surgery that was way less traumatic than yours (tummy tuck, cough cough), I can vouch that just frigging GETTING OUTSIDE makes one feel, like, a MEEEELLLLION times better than just sitting around convalescing in one’s sick room. Even if you just go sit outside on your patio, DO IT. But seriously – do you have to look better than the rest of us? PACE YOURSELF.
Here’s to your speedy recovery, mama. (Very gentle) hugs to you!
Shannan
You look amazing! I bet you feel a bit more amazing with a little sunshine and fresh air under your belt, too!
ps. I’m a little (totally) jealous of that kick ass park!
Just want to say that you’re looking fantastic and I hope you have a speedy recovery 🙂 It’s great to get outside! That park looks amazeballs.
This Michigan girl LOVES your t-shirt… and I’m now planning a family vacation around that park. No, seriously, I am. What a place!
It’s great to see that you’re feeling good enough to forget you’re in recovery, too, even for a few minutes! I heard an interview a while back – I think it was on the radio show Fresh Air, I’m not sure – comparing a mastectomy to an amputation. Because we kind of identify with our boobs, right? Like “I’m the flat-chested girl” or “I’m not one of those people who can wear that style; I’ll fall out of it.” It seems like it would the recovery a little bit more complicated than, you know, an appendectomy or something. So, prayers for continued grace and courage and strength and anything else you need to get over this hump. All the best to you!
i love this post. Give yourself credit, a 2 hour outing is HUGE! It’s in no way comparable, but the first trip out of my house following a massive breast reduction, I fell asleep during a 5 minute car ride.
Go with comfort, the binding is so helpful with pain, and rock the t-shirts! Loving some of the one sale ones from the Gap lately…
You look great and thank you so much for continuing to share your story of healing and fashion!
So happy you were able to spend some time outdoors. You are amazing.
Congrats on your outing!! You’re really inspiring! Thanks for sharing with us!
Definitely have park envy…and maybe a little case of holy great legs, Batman, envy! Loving the T with leather combo. You are badass in EVERY way, Mama, especially the “don’t let the breast cancer grind you down” way. Continued good thoughts for a speedy recovery to be a receding memory by the time you’re coaching us on ankle booties – or whatever’s new and cool – this fall.
Bless you dear, so glad to see you made it out and I loved the campy t. They may not be “in” but i think of them as comfort food :0)
De-lurking to say that I’ve held you in my thoughts and prayers these last few weeks and am thrilled to see you out enjoying time with your family.
WOW, Shana! just WOW. 🙂
you are amazing & beautiful & strong.
i can’t believe you are out there with such style & looking as FABULOUS as always mere weeks after major surgery!!
btw, LOVE the shirt; brings me right back to my U of M days! 😉
Park is GENIUS, dig the campy shirt and so happy you got out 😉 its a big baby deal as we say here. BTW the shirt around the waist…a trend, hahaha!
Oh, honey, I am so impressed! Of course, I have no idea what you are going through, but I had gallbladder surgery a couple of days before you had your surgery (I commented on IG) and I will still not let my family hug me for real (of course, my kids are older, so they understand to hug me without *touching* me!) Take it easy! And listen to your body! (I’m so glad you spent the rest of the weekend resting after your outing, it made me tired just looking at the pictures!)
I’ve only been wearing baggy shirts and elastic/drawstring waisted things, and I certainly don’t look as fabulous as you do!
So impressed that you manage to pull off park time while looking like one hot mamma! You would be a mom I would eye, and totally want to steal the look from, and this is all without even taking into account the surgery. You are a superstar!
You look so adorable! As a Michigander, I LOVE your shirt. Prayers and good vibes for your recovery!
I think you are doing amazing! I am sure the boys were happy to have their mama out and about with them. You are a good mama! I am sure that there are good and bad days, but on a bad day, just remember how good this day was. Still keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
So good to see you are getting out, even if it is for a short period of time! You look great.
Thanks for the great idea! My family and I are visiting our relatives in Philly and we went to Sister City park this morning and ate at the little cafe. So much fun!
Glad you were able to make it out for a little fun with your family!
You look great!! I am originally from MI and have a couple fun MI t-shirts but not that one and I now I think I need it!…Glad you are feeling well enough to get out and praying for the rest of your recovery!
You look terrific! I am rooting for you!
Hi Shana! I’m a longtime reader, first time commenter, delurking! I feel like you’re a kindred spirit, since I, too, grew up in Michigan and now live in Philadelphia. It’s great to see you looking healthy and happy and I hope you’re enjoying the weather this week (feels like home!). Best wishes!
I love this blog so much that I feel like I know you even though we are complete strangers. Thinking of you and hoping your recovery goes so well! You look fantastic!
You look fantastic! <3
Yay, for leaving the house! Looks like an especially fun outing, too.
After my first surgery, I had the genius idea that I was somehow going to use the medical leave time to get some things done. 30 minutes into a mall excursion I realized just how ridiculous that plan was. You just get … so … tired …
The first time you can finally take a shower feels like heaven, doesn’t it?
Take your time with recovery. There are no deadlines 🙂
Yes! It’s the best kind of therapy. That, and a hot shower 🙂
Shana, I was at Sister Cities this week with my kiddies too. Love that place! Glad you were able to get out for a bit. It must feel great to get out and enjoy the summer weather and watch your little guys play.
Keep on doing a great job-You are amazing!
Praying for a good visit Monday.
Shana, I was at Sister Cities this week with the kiddies too. Love that place! Glad you were able to get out and enjoy the summer weather and watch your boys play.
Keep doing a great job-you are amazing! Praying for a good visit Monday.
I saw that first pic and I was like ‘Huh… That looks like she’s sitting at Milk and Honey…’
And it turns out you were! Wow, found your blog for the Desert Booties post, and here I am! I recently had the pleasure of living for a month just a block away from that cafe, and many mid-day mochas were had from there!