A Difficult Week
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on my site, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.
This has been somewhat of a difficult week.
After a few days of lifting chores, my back has been giving me fits. Every day, I wake up thinking it will be gone. That I can walk without feeling like the tin man, robotically, and with a cane.
They say getting old is hell. But this problem really isn’t necessarily about just getting older. I’ve had back problems most of my life. I had herniated disk surgery at 30.
I’m usually more active. The older I get, the stiffer I become, and the more my joints give me trouble. I guess all you can do is accept these aging frailties, because time is not going backward.
I’m sure you have your share of ailments and illnesses. I’ve been lucky in many respects, because my physical problems are mostly limited to musculoskeletal difficulties.
Still Looking for that Instagram Account
Note: I finally found the account! It is here.
To the person who asked me to give the social media URL about the woman whose husband died, I haven’t forgotten. I’m still looking. I just haven’t found it yet.
I follow a lot of Instagram accounts, so it’s like finding a needle in a haystack if you’ve forgotten the username.
Mostly, I scroll and read on Instagram. Sometimes I’ll post a photo, but I don’t write about it or use hashtags. I simply post an image. I’m not much for the back-and-forth that’s part of Instagram. I’m not trying to gain a following.
The same goes for Pinterest. I’ll post images, but I don’t comment. And for Facebook, I only give a link to a post here and there. I have to preserve what typing I can manage to do on this blog.
Many of us content creators are doing poorly financially. I’ve never made so little money on this blog.
But I’ve invested a lot of myself into this over 17 and a half years, so I’m persevering because it’s been a part of my life for so long. And because I need whatever money I can make from it.
If it gets to the point where I’m spending more a month than I’m making to keep this blog, then I’ll reevaluate.
Such is life. You have to accept change sometimes.
The Outdoor Cat Enclosure
Neighbor Randy built the wooden enclosure for the outdoor cats on the porch. However, Killvester, the one that looks oldest, doesn’t seem to want to go in the allotted space that he cut out.
But I’m hoping that some of the outdoor cats, though really only two regularly come around now, will use it come winter.
Just because I have three spoiled indoor cats doesn’t mean I forget about those outside. If they weren’t so wild, I’d try to get them inside. They seem sweet and calm, but my neighbor says they can turn violent fairly quickly.
At his house, it’s a bigger problem. Here, they are more docile, luckily. Maybe because his porch and basement have been home to so many cats over the years. Mine has only been a cat haven since I moved in here two years ago.
Isn’t it amazing that I’ve already lived here for two years? It will be two years on November 1 that I moved into this house.
My floors need vacuuming and mopping. I can see what I think are little coffee spots on the kitchen floor.
Every time I go from the kitchen to my living room chair, where I sit and drink it, I think I’m being so careful. Maybe the stains are from me taking the coffee grounds to the trash can.
The Flip House
Kendra has finally finished the hoarder flip house. She’s had it for about 9 months now. Everything always takes longer than you think. Problems crop up; supplies or appliances are delayed.
She might have to cut back on the changes she makes to a property because everything is so expensive right now.
When there are photos of the finished flip house, I’ll show them to you.
Prices have gone up so much. Gas costs more, food costs more, and utilities have really gone up. It is alarming how much things have gone up.
I’m just happy I have a sweet little house that is a roof over my head.
So many people don’t have a roof over their heads. I see them walking down the street in front of my house with all their belongings and sometimes a dog on a leash.
My heart goes out to them. That could be me, or you. Imagine not knowing where you’ll sleep that night, or if you’ll be safe. Where you’ll get your next meal.
You never know what life will hand out on any given day. Just hope for the best and live each day to the fullest.
“I get inspiration from my everyday life.”
– Hayao Miyazaki
Hi Brenda. I’m sorry your back has been hurting so much. Mine seems to hurt a lot too. I’ve never gone to a chiropractor, but I I’m sorry you’re back has been hurting so much. Mine seems to hurt a lot too. I’ve never gone to a chiropractor, but I have been told to use ice and it does seem to help. I think a lot of people here would be very disappointed if you were not able to continue blogging. It’s more than just a blog with decorating advice, etc. You’ve become a friend to many of us. And I’m sure if there’s anything that we can do to help you we would all try. I think linking your purchases from Amazon and Wayfair and Walmart are a great idea. Looking forward to seeing Kendra‘s flip House maybe with some before and after pictures. And I hope your kitties enjoy having a nice warm and cozy place to stay during the harsh winter months coming up. It is hard to believe you’ve been in your house now for two years. It’s gone by fast. I hope you are still able to keep in touch with some of your old friends. It’d be nice to have an update on some of them. I hope you feel better soon
I can’t believe it’s been two years since you moved into your house. Away from the dreadful apartment problems. Take care of yourself. I hope you start feeling better.
The part about waking up each day hoping the back pain is gone really captures how chronic issues wear you down mentally, not just physically. One thing that might help: try logging your pain level each morning on a simple 1-10 scale along with what you did the day before. After a couple weeks you may spot which specific chores or movements trigger the worst days, so you can adjust those first instead of guessing.
Hello Brenda, I’m so sorry you’ve had a painful week. I too have had pain all week. I have OA and Fibromyalgia. It’s not for sissys for sure!
I think it’s a great idea to post things that you’ve found on Amazon so we may order and you get some credit for it. I love your house and the way you decorated it!
I hope all the outdoor cats will utilize that enclosure this winter. They’re saying we may have a bad one.
We’re having a company come out to give us an estimate for a generator. We had awful ice storms here last season and lost electric. It got really cold in our house!!
I hope you start feeling better soon but until then rest when you can.
Sorry about your pain too, Tessa.
Wishing you relief from your pain soon. I like your blog because there is so much uplifting, likeminded community here. Whether we have a lot or not so much, it seems like everyone especially you focuses on being grateful with what we have and empathy for others. It is so nice to hear when people go out of their way to help an animal or person in need. Looking forward to see your daughters flip. She is so talented and I don’t know how she keeps track of all that would be needed to make all that magic happen. I try to keep up on what is going on in our country but know that I can’t control that or the weather. So I enjoy my cozy little house and I wish that for all of us!
Yes, not much we can do about the entire country. But thankfully, we can control much of what occurs in our little homes.
I am so sorry that you are feeling bad. Getting older is not for sussies as they say. It’s so true. I should get my hip checked, but know that they are going to send me to physical therapy but I do need to do something.
Maybe the cat won’t go into the shelter because he can’t see all around him. Needs to see if there is any “danger”. Survival instinct.
Can’t wait to see the remodel!
I think you’re right. This cat looks like he’s been in a number of fights.
Brenda, I am sorry that you are feeling poorly. I hope that you find some relief soon. As you say, aging is a challenge. I think even more so if you are bring along ailments from your youth.
The cat enclosure sounds interesting, hopefully they will all enjoy their warm, cosy space.
Looking forward to hearing more about eher flip house.
As for blogging, I know how you feel. I have been at it just as long and the ups and downs are a challenge. Let’s hope revenue picks up again soon.
Take care of yourself and have a lovely weekend.
Yes, it’s hitting all of us bloggers.
Hi Brenda,
I’ve had back problems most of my adult life. Working as a nurse definitely made that worse. There is so much lifting & moving patients that I couldn’t avoid. Thankfully, I’m retired!
In the last year I had terrible back spasms after catching something heavy at home. I had been to a chiropractor years before, & he was not helpful & I spent a bunch of money.
This time I tried another chiro reccomended by a friend. He was just wonderful! Personable, encouraging, with useful suggestions & exercises for home. Adjustments & massage guns (?), etc. I went 3 times a week. It didn’t instantly go away like I’ve heard people talk about with chiropractors. It slowly improved, & he talked me through it. One thing he said is use an ice pack, not heat on my back. Right now I can’t remember why. Luckily I can tolerate ice.
I wish you were here & could go to him. I would highly reccomend him. I know he treated lots of other musculoskeletal problems too.
So my experience taught me chiropractors can be very helpful, if you can find one by word of mouth.
I hope you can find some relief.
I know how physical problems affect every aspect of life & mood.
I’m so glad you have your home, pets, daughters & friends & blog to support you! I love your blog. I tend to read a bunch at one time rather than each time you post. I think having an Amazon storefront (?) is a great idea.
I know other influencers I follow do this. Maybe Wayfair, if they do that, because I know you’ve bought things there. I wish you the best in everything!
I’ve been to chiropractors and acupuncturists. Sometimes it helps; sometimes it doesn’t. But it’s hard just getting there these days.
Oh, Brenda…I am so sorry you are going through a rough patch. I am also so happy about your sweet home. It is a haven for you, and I love seeing all of your decorating.
Since I think everyone uses Amazon, maybe put a link to something for us to view in each post, and we can order whatever is on our list, and you will get some credit for it. Is that how this works?
I am 79, and DH is 83. We’ve found that moving around regularly keeps us from getting too stiff. My husband works out every day. I do things around the house and yard. Still have aches and pains, but not as bad.
Looking forward to seeing Kendra’s finished remodel.
This too shall pass. I go through this from time to time.