Category Archives: Miscellany

Pet Products I Use and Love!

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I am not receiving compensation for the following product recommendations. Recommendations are more trustworthy when the person giving the recommendation isn’t being paid for it, yes? These are items that I use personally and you may benefit from them as I have.

Litter Genie – If you have cats but hate the stinky stink of a litter box, you’ve got to give this a try! The Litter Genie uses a special plastic for the bag refills that contain that stink and make it a breeze for scooping poop (and urine if you use clumping litter). My only suggestion is that instead of tying a knot at the end of the bag, use zip ties instead – you won’t waste as much of your bag refills.

My Pet Peed – This spray is awesomely purr-fect! Clean the pet mess as best you can first and then use this spray to remove the stain and/or odor. I have used this mostly on blood because my cats don’t have accidents often. We sometimes have an accidental “outside of the box” issue and this works like a charm. I can’t emphasize this enough! This stuff is Da Bomb! I was especially impressed when Dad fell on his face and busted his nose open. There was a huge puddle of blood on the carpet. I crossed my fingers and used My Pet Peed on the spot. It took a couple of tries – it was a huge spot – but it came out! Amazing!

Furry Freshness – Coming in second to My Pet Peed, is another spray made specifically for pet odor removal. Furry Freshness is the first spray I tried and I think the ingredients are similar, as it does the same thing. Clean up the pet mess as best you can, spray this on the spot and let it rest. It foams up and removes the odor and/or stain.

Pet Odor Exterminator Candles – I first discovered these candles when we changed to our current veterinarian. From the moment we first walked into the building there was no odor. You know what I’m talking about…that familiar pet odor that all veterinarian offices have. This one did NOT. The reason? The Pet Odor Exterminator candles were lit in the reception area and various other rooms. I was sold and purchased a few of the candles that day. The candle attacks and removes cat, dog, reptile, and other small animal odors…and they don’t do too bad on human stink either! These candles come in various scents and my favorite is the Orange Lemon Splash. I’ve yet to use this company’s other products but they have sprays, car hangers, and fabric fresheners.

Tomlin Immune Support L-lysine supplement – Lysine was recommended by our veterinarian when I asked if there was anything I could do aside from yearly vaccinations to protect my cats from respiratory ailments. It’s reasonably priced, considering it goes a long way! Just sprinkle a scoop of lysine on your cat’s canned food, mix it in and they don’t have a clue. Easy peasy!

HomeoPet – A great brand with various liquid drop formulas that target specific pet problems, including UTIs, Nose Relief, Digestive Upset, Fur Ball, Skin & Itch, Incontinence, Anxiety, and more. Just add a few drops to your pet’s canned food and it’s done. I have a cat who has allergies and always has a sniffly nose if I don’t give her the drops for Nose Relief.

Kitty Tube Oat Straw – If you have outside cats, or want to provide a warm place for feral cats, straw is the recommended bedding for cold weather. I have a medium dog house lined with insulated wrap and oat straw on the bottom. BobCat (he has a bobbed tail) has a place to sleep when it’s cold. Kitty Tube has insulated shelters, made in the USA and from recycled materials. I need to get one, but it’s a bit expensive. When I do, I will let you know what I think!

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What pet products do you use and love? I’m open to new ideas! Leave your recommendations in the comments!

When It Rains, It Pours…Literally!

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Our house was built in the 50s and the foundation is crumbling, walls are cracked, and floors are sinking. It’s in sad shape. We’ve always had problems with the roof leaking. We’d spring a leak, fix it and the rain would find another entry. Every Spring we curse the rain, and farmers when they wish for more! This year has been…as my grandmother would say, “the physical shits.” 

My Dad’s room was an add-on back in 1995 or 1996. I helped a little but I was working full time. Dad did most of the work himself. It was the nicest part of our house! Then one year, it sprung a leak, then another. Dad put hundreds of dollars into that roof every stinkin’ year, trying to stop the leaks. The roof had been reshingled many times, (like the rest of our house) and still, another leak would pop up. For years Dad has been putting so much money and effort into that roof! 

This Spring has been the worst rainy season I think we’ve ever had and it has done a number on Dad’s room! It got so bad that buckets needed to be emptied every couple of hours! Then it got worse. We had so many buckets set up that Dad couldn’t even sleep in there anymore. He moved into the spare room; he said he would eventually move back into his own room. That wasn’t going to happen!

Dad got into his closet one morning and saw that mold had started growing in there, so we started moving things out. An old trunk, probably from the late 1800s that has photos, mementos, and heirlooms had to be moved out of there. There were boxes upon boxes of old photos and genealogy information, not to mention 3 boxes of the genealogy books that Dad published years ago. (He had too many printed at the time.) All of those things and Dad’s clothing had to be moved out of that closet! 

Fast forward just a few days. Mold began working its way up the walls of the bedroom and the floor was soaking wet. It was no use now. Things needed to be moved out of there and fast! A few of Dad’s things had to be thrown away. The office desk and 2 shelves are ruined but we saved the books. The most worrisome items were my Dad’s Victrola (photo below is similar to my Dad’s) and my mother’s cedar chest, both antiques. We needed to get them out of that room and fast! Dad and I couldn’t do it ourselves or we would have. I couldn’t get my son here to help so I had to beg friends on Facebook for help! Thankfully, my friend Angie brought her hubby and 2 other guys and they got the job done. 

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We are still slowly moving things out that are up and away from the dampness and out from under the leaks at the moment. When everything is out, we will tear that room down. It has to quit raining first! I swear when it’s raining it’s literally raining in the bedroom, too! It’s awful! (If it weren’t so embarrassing, I’d share photos and video with you.)

The urgency to get our new house done now is first and foremost in our minds, which is very stressful. My son has agreed to work on it but he can’t manage to get over here except 4 or 5 times a month. I can’t wait to finally be in a house that’s not falling apart! We started building back in the early 2000s but came to standstill about 10 years ago when Dad got too old and tired and I got too…disabled. 

Another reason for the urgency of getting the new house done is that I need help taking care of Dad. The new house is big enough for my sister, who has agreed that she will move in and help. I can barely take care of myself, let alone Dad. The stress of being on alert 24/7 is very stressful. Having someone here to help lends a second pair of eyes, ears, and hands. I can still do some things but having my sister to help with the cooking and cleaning will help me tremendously! Right now I’m a mess and a disaster waiting to happen!

So, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Stay tuned for updates…

 

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WARNING: A Story NOT For the Feint of Heart

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Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Annah. Annah’s mother, Becky, decided that her good friend Camile would be a better mom for Annah, so she gave her up. Camile and her husband, Daniel, adopted Annah. Annah grew up in Wisconsin, knowing her biological mother as well as her adoptive parents. Annah was on the high-end of the autism scale and had ADHD and bouts of depression as she grew up. 

All was well until Camile and Daniel began having marital problems and split up. They divorced and Camile began a relationship with another man. Annah started having issues with her parent’s divorce and her mom’s new boyfriend. She began to act out. 

Annah had episodes of self-harm and Camile was worried. She had Annah admitted to a hospital to get treatment. She was put on medication and had regular appointments with a therapist. 

Eventually, 15-year-old Annah began having issues again and Camile, being extremely worried, got in touch with Annah’s biological mother, Becky. Becky was aware of the issues Annah was having along the way. Camile and Becky decided that perhaps they could help ‘reset’ Annah’s behavior and Becky agreed to take Annah home to her farm in Illinois. 

Annah was happy being on the farm with her biological mother. She loved taking care of the animals. She became a volunteer firefighter, like Becky. She enjoyed the people around her. Everyone loved Annah and they said she appeared happy.

A year later, everything changed. Stop here if you are easily upset.

Becky called the sheriff and reported 16-year-old Annah missing. The sheriff and his deputies searched and searched the 81-acre property but no Annah. After several days they called in cadaver dogs. The dogs searched and searched and didn’t hit on anything suspicious until they got to a burn pile. The pile was built up about 6 feet tall but the dog hit on the pile. The cadaver dog handler brought in another dog, and that dog also hit on the same area. 

After disassembling the burn pile, several bones, teeth, and a jawbone were found at the very bottom. It was later verified to be the remains of Annah. 

It was later learned that Becky had drugged Annah and when she thought she was dead, she put Annah in the burn pile and sat all night until her body was virtually gone. BUT at one point, Annah woke up! Becky panicked and knocked Annah out with a rake until she couldn’t scream anymore. 

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This is definitely a horror story but do you know that this really happened? I changed the names and left out many details, but this actually happened 5 years ago in my county! 

The mother’s trial was last week and we are awaiting the outcome of the MO vs. Ruud bench trial. The judge will be making his decision later this month.

You can read more about this case below:

https://www.yourtango.com/2017306114/new-details-mom-rebecca-rudd-tortured-murdered-autistic-daughter-savannah-leckie

Adoptive mother of girl killed in Missouri asks ‘What If?’

http://www.ozarkcountytimes.com/news-local-news/ruud-murder-trial-unfolds-springfield-recording-played-during-trial-where-ruud

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 1:

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 2:

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 3:

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 3 Closing Arguments:

I know, it’s hours of testimony and you don’t have time for that. I get it. But just in case you’re interested, I thought I’d add the trial links. It wasn’t the most professional trial, in my opinion. The audio and video also not so professional but I sat through the entire thing.

This case has bothered me since it happened. It just rips my heart out. I cannot even fathom how any mother or human being for that matter, could do what this woman has done! I know, innocent until proven guilty but she admitted that she burned the body, and after watching the trial and hearing all of the evidence, I believe she did more than that. 

Busy, Busy, Busy

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Well, really not that busy. Just busy not getting anything done, if that makes sense. Lack of sleep coupled with pain and mobility issues seem to keep the wheels spinning but I get nowhere.

Dad had his 85th birthday yesterday. I took him out for lunch since he says he doesn’t need anything. We had a fried shrimp basket with fries at one of our favorite places. I finally figured out the best time of the day to go there. It’s always so busy and being a small space, it’s just too damn loud to enjoy a meal when it’s crowded. Around 2pm is perfect except for one thing. Employees are cleaning during the slower hours and normally that doesn’t bother me but yesterday, one of the workers was cleaning the legs of the tables and chairs. It seemed like he was pissed because everytime he grabbed a chair he turned it upside down with a great loud bang on the table top. Then when he finished wiping down the legs of that chair, he’d pull it down onto the floor with another great loud crash. Then he’d move on to the next chair. The restaurant is very small and so we were right there within 10 feet of what he was doing. It was hard to even have a conversation! I wanted to drop kick the little shit but I behaved my damn self. When the guy finally finished Dad and I had a nice lunch and conversation. I still can’t believe Dad is 85 years old! Shit, that makes me…well, too damn old.

I’ve been trying to get my “book” ready for printing. Remember my series of posts called The Ex Files? When my ex passed away in December of 2020, I decided to stop the blog series and compile them all into a book of sorts for my children all about their father. It’s been over a year now that I’ve been editing and proofreading…and perfecting every paragraph. I want my adult children to know about my relationship with their father and why I had to leave him; why I had to get them away from him. At the same time, I want them to know that he did have good qualities.

Anyway, I do a little work in the mornings on the book and then try and catch up on sleep. By the time I wake up, it’s lunch time and then I have chores to do around the house. Chores aren’t easy for me. The house looks like ass. That’s something I picked up from my sister. Snort.

As soon as my book is finished for my kids, I’ll be moving on to my cookbook. I will probably try to recruit a few people to test recipes and take photos. There might be a free cookbook in it for those who choose to assist! Who knows how long it will take me to finish that project!

Next week, I hope to get back to writing in this blog. Writing steadily is hard for me. I always think I’ll write a bunch of posts ahead of time and schedule them but then I just never get to it. Sorry if you miss Friday’s Funnies. I miss doing those posts, too! Maybe next week I’ll have the time and energy to put into it.

Also, I’m so far behind on reading the blogs I follow that I will never catch up. I do miss reading them!

Nap time now.

aunt-debbie

I’m Back…I Think!

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It’s been a long break but I’m back. I decided that I have to force myself to get back on the proverbial horse or I never will. It’s been a rough couple of months and I’ve been physically exhausted and mentally drained. I will it to end, NOW!

It goes without saying (I think) that the current political situation is part of my exhaustion. I never dreamed in a million years that the country I love and grew up in would be in such a sad state. Between the Covid-19 virus and variants being made into political issues (which they are NOT) and the lunacy within the Republican party, my head is spinning. I just want to scream, “Stop the Q-Anon-Sense already!”…and that is another post entirely.

In May I started my weekly lymphedema therapy. It has worked wonders on my poor legs! I must use compression garments or wrap with bandages to keep the swelling under control but after my very last appointment, I think it’ll be fine. I will definitely miss that slow and gentle massage! Next step: Finding a surgeon who will do knee replacements on me without fat-shaming or telling me that I’m too young. I’ve wasted over 10 years of my life trying to get help. I had given up after having the rug pulled out from under me so many times. I’m going to turn into The Wicked Witch of the West and let them know I’m done with their bullshit. With the help of my NP, I have a new found sense of hope.

In June, we got a visit from my daughter, and my 2 sisters. I not only got to meet my future son-in-law, but I also got to meet my baby granddaughter, both for the very first time. My grandson has grown so much since I saw him last. My son and his wife and son stopped in of course, and oh, what a blast it was having us all together again! I was exhausted afterward…actually I was exhausted before they got here because I spent the previous 2 months getting the house in order! Goddess knows, I can’t do a lot at once so it took me a very long time. Ugh.

2 days before that visit, my Dad fell. He had bent over to pick up a piece of fuzz or something off of the floor, lost his balance and down he went. He landed on his nose and sprained his arm. Blood poured from a big gash down the center of his nose and dripping from inside. I don’t know which was bleeding the most! It was hell trying to get him up off the floor and getting the bleeding to stop. He refused to go to the ER and when I pressed the issue he got pissed, so I dropped it. After a week or so the scab on his nose was drying up nicely, and now the scab is gone completely. His arm is still a bit weak at times but it’ll be back to normal soon. Needless to say, I am very concerned about him and his slow decline. He’s 84 and it’s starting to show.

Earlier this month I had to say goodbye to my last elderly cat, Kitty. Miss Kitty turned 15 in May and was seemingly fine and then just a week later she was showing signs of kidney disease. I did not expect her to decline as quickly as she did because my other 4 senior cats went months with kidney disease before we had to say goodbye. So, 2 weeks after her 15th birthday, we had to take her to the vet and say goodbye. I didn’t want her to suffer anymore. It’s always a sad thing to lose a pet and I’m so glad my furbabies live such long lives but that damn kidney disease gets them every time.

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I’m going to be getting back to my writing. The thing is I have too many writing projects that need my attention! I have this blog, “The Ex-Files” for my kids, my cookbook, and my short story, “Spike,” all going at once! What’s a girl to do? Advice, anyone?

Well, let’s have a good week, shall we?

Until next time,

Aunt Debbie