Author Archives: Deb / Being Aunt Debbie

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About Deb / Being Aunt Debbie

Single, disabled mother of 2 adult children and grandmother to 7 beautiful grandchildren! I love Medieval History, castles, all things Celtic. I love animals, rock music, Mexican food, writing, learning, and good movies. I love to crochet!

Bye-Bye 2024

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Another year is ending, and one is beginning. I’m sitting here today, thinking of what I have accomplished this year. I started feeling disappointed and discouraged because I felt like I’d done absolutely nothing! Mostly because someone had made me feel like I was just wasting time, using excuses to not do anything. But then…

I realized someone else’s unkind and judgemental words were stuck in my mind. A person who was supposed to be understanding, non-judgmental, and kind had tried to make me feel like I was lazy; that I should be doing what she thought I should be able to do. I shook my head and said, “NO!” Maybe I haven’t gone hiking, run a marathon, or climbed a mountain. She hasn’t done any of those things either. I haven’t taken a class, earned a degree, or started a new job. She hasn’t done any of those things either. She has the use of her legs; I have limited mobility in mine. She hasn’t done much of anything this year, either.

I started thinking about the things I have done this year and they may not be BIG things, they may not even be important or on anyone else’s list, but they are still accomplishments. Some are bigger than others, and some are small but even little things count, right?

  1. I managed to keep Dad out of the hospital for another year. He’s going on 88 now so that’s important.
  2. I got Dad through a very stressful financial uncertainty.
  3. I managed to get Dad up off the floor numerous times this year. He escaped major injury, thank goodness.
  4. I survived a fall myself. It could have been catastrophic, as Dad’s could have been.
  5. I finished writing my cookbook after many years and had it published.
  6. I have learned to prioritize myself and Dad when others expect more from me than I can give. Boundaries are important.
  7. I have worked on my mental strength and I am stronger now than I have ever been.
  8. I saved money for higher-priced items that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to buy.
  9. I have learned new crochet skills and have applied them to projects.
  10. I have finished 12 crocheted blankets, 3 scarves, 8 beanies, 4 pairs of fingerless gloves, 2 tote bags, and 6 sets of 4 coasters.
  11. I have learned a lesson in friendship. I will never apply the label “best friends” to any friendship because it has never ended well in the past.
  12. I have taken an online course in self-publishing in hopes of making my next book (3rd one) the best one yet.
  13. I found things I could do that align with bringing me closer to my values.
  14. I have started working with plastic canvas and learning the amazing things that can be created.
  15. I have completed 4 years of bullet journaling.

This list would be completely different if I had full mobility in my legs. I do what I can do. Since I can’t do things that involve the use of my legs, I do what I can do with my hands and my mind. Simple as that.

So, my friends. Don’t let anyone make you feel that you’ve accomplished nothing this year. No matter your circumstances, you have accomplished many things. It doesn’t matter what some judgemental, thoughtless person says.

Say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025 with a smile on your face!

aunt-debbie

Progress and Hope

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I mentioned previously that we finally have hope to finish the new house. Today will be Day Two of work on the deck/porch. Fingers crossed it will be finished by day’s end. Handyman seems to know what he’s doing. When that is completed, I’ll be able to go up the ramp, enter the house, and give direction as to where I want electrical outlets and things like that. It has been years since I was able to go in that house! I will be posting photos as things progress.

I am cautiously optimistic about this whole process. I can’t help but think about my ex who was all talk and no workie. And I don’t mean that he talked too much instead of working, as my DIL thought I meant. What I mean is that my ex always talked big about doing this and that but he never did what he said he would do. I’m praying that Handyman does what he says he will do.

It will be nice not to worry about the leaky roof, the sagging floors, or cracked walls. Not to mention all the cracks and crevices in this old house that allow all kinds of bugs and spiders in. I’m envisioning us in the new house. I’m thinking positively now that there’s a little light at the end of the tunnel. Another positive note is that my youngest sister has shown interest in coming to live with us so she can help me with the cleaning and cooking and looking after Dad. I just don’t know how much longer I can do it on my own.

Please cross your fingers, or pray, whatever you do….that we will be in our new house this time next year or sooner! And in case you don’t know, I appreciate that you take the time to read my blog!

Until next time,

aunt-debbie

This and That, Update

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I haven’t posted in over a week. I’m focusing on the holidays and getting shopping done. Online shopping, that is. I cannot handle crowds.

After my fall last week, I’m doing much better. Read Little Shits if you missed the post. By lunchtime that day, my bruise was about 6″ x 3″ and a very pretty and bright purple, my favorite color! It is still rather sore but a little itchy so it must be healing.

A few days ago, we got a call regarding our storage unit we’ve had for many years. Apparently, someone cut the lock off. I thought we’d probably lost everything inside the unit. My kids’ childhood books and my Christmas decor, including personalized ornaments from my kids’ childhood, were the things I was concerned about the most. There are a bunch of other things in there as well, but those were the most important to me/us. Anyway, to our surprise, nothing had been disturbed. Unless of course the thief removed shit he wanted and put everything back the way it was. Highly unlikely! We had a hard time getting the unit open because of the rusty slide so I think the thief gave up because he couldn’t get it open or got spooked when a car pulled in or something and took off before he could get it open. Whatever the circumstance, I’m grateful things weren’t disturbed.

Months ago, I was told to drink a lot of water and to watch my sodium intake. I had been watching my sodium big time, because it helps with swelling and inflammation. Watching sodium is difficult especially since I can’t stand in the kitchen and prep/cook healthy meals so I rely on premade frozen meals. So to watch my sodium I had limited choices. As for the water, I’ve never been much of a water drinker so I drink coffee, tea and water. Basically, the same as always. They say tea and coffee are not as dehydrating as was reported previously. They are made with water, after all.

Anyway, I had a CBC last month and my results were wonky. My blood sugar was high, probably the result of Thanksgiving goodies, and my sodium was too low. My NP suggested I cut my water intake by 8 oz. and come back in a month for another lab visit. Ok, fine. I stopped watching my sodium and cut back my carbs and sugar. I went back for labs and the results came back perfect! Well, slap me silly. I can’t win. I can tell when I have had too much sodium because it becomes harder to walk, even with my crutches, and my pain level is higher. I can’t seem to get a definitive answer from my NP about how much sodium I really need. I know it needs to be on the lower end of the scale but it’s so hard to do.

We finally have a little hope! My daughter-in-law referred a guy to us to work on the new house. I’m not sure when he will start, considering it’s the holidays. According to Dad, the guy seems to know what he’s talking about construction. He has 2 sons that will help, too. Maybe by next Christmas we’ll be in the new house. I pray for that so hard. I can’t die in this dump of a house we’re in now and you may think it’s not that bad but it is! It’s embarrassing. If you were to drive by, you’d think, “Surely no one lives in that place!” Oh, but they do! Very uncomfortably, I might add! Anyway, please think good thoughts for us and pray with me that things will finally get done!

I bought each of the furbabies a faux-furry blanket. BobCat hasn’t been out of his since he got in it and Jack discovered his in his favorite spot and was happy to try it out. Alice, on the other hand, is being stubborn as hell and wants nothing to do with hers. There always has to be a stubborn one in the bunch.

Well, that’s all for now, friends. Merry Christmas! Eat, drink and be merry. You can diet afterward. Wink, wink.

aunt-debbie

Little Shits

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I’m starting this month out just great…or ending this year great. Not sure which. This morning at 5:10am I was up to go to the bathroom. After I got settled back in my chair, with ear plugs and eye mask, I was nearly killed by Jack and BobCat, who insisted on fighting. I sleep in my lift chair and the two little shits were bouncing on and off me as they ran through the house. I was getting pissed because Jack is just too aggressive and I was afraid I’d be clawed to death, stuck in the middle of a cat fight. 

So, after they declined to knock it the hell off, I decided to get up and put the fear of God in them. I’m not really sure what happened as I am always very careful. I think I lost my balance trying to put my shoes on. I normally put my shoes on before I stand up. Anyway, I lost my balance and down I went. HARD. On my right thigh/hip. Damn. I cried. 

Dad heard me fall and was horrified! There I was. Sprawled out on the living room floor in tears. I knew nothing was broken but damn, my leg hurt. I thought, how the hell am I going to get off the floor? I have grab bars strategically placed throughout the house for exactly this reason. Little did I know it would still be nearly impossible, for me to get up. I had to scoot about 20 feet to get to the grab bar. Then, because my knees are in such sad shape, I couldn’t bend them to pull myself up. I had Dad bring my shoes, which I call mock crocs, so I could get better traction. Nope. That didn’t work. I had Dad get the gait belt with handles so maybe he could help a little. Nope. Not yet. We have a 3″ step that sits between the kitchen and the laundry room because there’s a 5″ step that’s difficult for me. The 3″ step helps a little. I had Dad bring that over to me and I slid that sucker up under my fat ass. The thought was that maybe if I were up a little higher, that would help. It did help, but poor Dad probably strained himself trying to help from behind, grabbing the handles of the gait belt and pulling me up. Holy crayoli. I was up. It only took 45 minutes. 

Now, I sit here in pain. My right leg is killing me. Nothing broken but holy crap, the spot on my hip where I landed is tender to the touch. By tonight it will be purple, I’m sure. Oh, and my arms will hurt, too. 

Great way to start December or to end the year? Which do you think?

What’s Eating Aunt Debbie?

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I’ve eaten at 3 different Mexican restaurants in the past month or so. Only one of them was worth going to again. I’ve eaten a lot of Mexican food over the years and no, I’ve never been to Mexico or Texas, but holy crap. When the refried beans don’t taste like beans, the enchilada sauce is like tomato sauce, and the rice tastes dirty, I won’t eat there again. I can let go of the fact that the salsa may have way too much cilantro or the tortilla chips weren’t perfect. I know that restaurants have bad days. I know there are different regions of Mexico so each restaurant may have different recipes… Maybe I’ve become too picky or my palate has just been spoiled over the many years of eating at a Tex-Mex place that has closed down. All I know is that I know what tastes good to me…

Looking after Dad has been especially difficult this past month. He’s been forgetful more than usual. His gait is unsteady. He has fallen twice. His blood pressure goes high mid-day even though he takes his meds. He sleeps in his chair off and on all day long. He’s not sleeping well at night. He sleeps some but it’s not restful sleep. I worry. I stress a lot.

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired and frankly pissed off to no end, of this political shitstorm! Trump is an asshole, plain and simple. Every single person he has in his entourage is an asshole. You have to be an asshole to follow an asshole. He has no morals. He wants what he wants. He is the biggest narcissist this world has ever seen. He wants to change our government to the way he wants it to be. He wants to destroy everything we have and everything we know. I could write all day about Trump and still not cover everything…

Our washing machine is being stupid. It washes fine. No problems with a load being clean. The problem is that it doesn’t just beep (a tune) when a load is finished. It decides in the middle of the night to beep off and on as if there’s an unfinished load in the machine. It needs to be serviced before I beat it to death with a baseball bat!

Well, that’s what’s eating me today. Not sure about the rest of the week. Haha. Have a great day, friends.

aunt-debbie