Category Archives: Ramblings

Random Thoughts To End The Year

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  • I might not ask for help, but I won’t forget those who offered.
  • If you get mad because I “challenge” something you say, that tells me that you know you are full of shit and that you just don’t want me to prove you wrong.
  • Don’t mistake my self-control for weakness.
  • Sometimes I laugh at inappropriate times.
  • If you tell the truth, you won’t have to remember anything.
  • People don’t have to like me, and I don’t have to care.
  • When I say I can’t do something it means I truly can’t. I am not lazy.
  • I am tired of being nice and biting my tongue to spare people’s feelings.
  • When I was at my lowest, no one offered to help.
  • People don’t seem to care about punctuation, spelling, and grammar these days.
  • It’s sad to watch a parent’s mental and physical ability decline as they age.
  • I sometimes get teary-eyed when I think about moving into the new house.
  • It makes no sense to dust the furniture when it will all be dusty again by tomorrow.
  • Facebook always suggests “people I may know” and I always think, “Yeah, I know them and I don’t like them.”
  • I always wonder what my 3 cats call me.
  • I don’t use autocorrect because I can incorrectly spell the wrong word without help.
  • Conspiracies are born when people try to make sense of something they don’t understand.
  • I’m still waiting for the flying cars my elementary school teachers promised we’d all have in 2020.
  • Transgender people aren’t hurting anyone. Just leave them alone.
  • Forcing a 12-year-old girl to give birth is a form of child abuse.
  • Donald Trump is a narcissistic reprobate and a repulsive human being.
  • The next 4 years will be hard to bear.
  • Listening to loud music while driving is therapeutic.
  • Swearing like a sailor is my superpower.
  • Swearing reduces stress.
  • It costs nothing to be kind and respectful to everyone.
  • Enter 2025 and do epic shit. 

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See you in the New Year, my friends! 

aunt-debbie

Emotions and Memories at Christmas Time

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I want to share with you something a friend of mine wrote and posted on Facebook. It’s something that really resonated with me. Holidays are a lonely and somewhat sad time for me and for my dad. I don’t expect things to be the same as they used to be but it’s sad that things are not what I had envisioned for us. Anyway, be thoughtful and kind to people during the holidays. 
 
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This time of year can be a whirlwind of emotions. For some, it’s a season of joy—family gathered together, no empty chairs, laughter filling the air, and the ability to give generously. For others, it’s a season marked by change, loss, or longing.
 
Maybe you’ve lost someone you love, and their absence feels heavier during these days. Perhaps a relationship you cherished has ended, or your children are grown and celebrating miles away. Life has a way of throwing us twists and turns, and Christmas often becomes a time when we feel the weight of what *used to be.*
 
It’s funny how we mark our lives with these memories—those magical Christmas mornings with little feet running to the tree or the quiet nights when everything just felt *right*. And while life changes, those memories remain. They remind us of love, of joy, of the beauty in what we’ve had and, hopefully, what is still to come.
 
If this Christmas looks different for you, know this: you are not alone. Whether your heart is full or a little heavy, take a moment to breathe, to reflect, and to hold onto the hope that brighter days are ahead.
 
Sending love to each of you this holiday season. May we all find a moment of peace, no matter where life has taken us. 
 
“Christmas isn’t just a season; it’s a mirror that reflects both the joy we hold and the love we miss, reminding us to cherish the moment we’re in while carrying hope for what’s to come.”
 
 
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Merry Christmas, friends! 

aunt-debbie

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