This & That - 3 Things!

Well, my friends, it really has been FOREVER since I wrote a 'This & That' post.  I just looked and it's been almost a year.  What can I say?  

In the interest of keeping this from being the longest post ever, let's just talk about 3 things:  My ear surgery (because I promised to explain in a past post), Keepin' it Real, and a couple of pics of life at the cottage.  

This post may contain affiliate links.

Ready?  Here we go.....

The Ear Surgery

In all honesty, this story starts in 2023.  That was the Estate Sale, Auntie B & 'Aunti-biotics post.  Oh, was I sick.  No ear infection, but lots of fluid.  After that, I couldn't go anywhere that was musty/moldy without my ears reacting, sometimes with an infection.  

Finally, in the Fall of 2024, after 2 different ENT doctors and a case of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing (that's a story in and of itself - just Google it), I was given ventilation tubes in my ears to prevent fluid and ear infections.

Great right?  Not so fast!

My hearing was muffled.  When I complained about it the standard response was:

1.  A hearing test - which initially was good.

2.  Steroids - when it wasn't.  

As you probably already know, steroids are really bad for you and this was not a long-term solution.

At this point, we're into 2025 and we've decided to buy a house and move.  My hearing wasn't good, but I put that aside and focused on the tasks associated with buying a house and moving.  

After moving, the tube fell out of my left ear. 

Literally, on the floor. 

Time to find a new ENT doctor!

Over the next few months, my new doctor thought it best to see of the holes left by the tubes (yes, the other one fell out soon after the first) would heal on their own.  In addition, he ordered allergy testing and a CT scan.  

The allergy testing showed no allergy to mold and the CT scan showed a significant infection in my sphenoid sinus.  That's the one in the middle of your head, behind your eyes, and directly below your brain.  Needless to say, I was treated with a very strong antibiotic, and, hmmmm, nobody else even considered that before putting tubes in my ears?

As time went on, the holes in my eardrums were not closing on their own and hearing was still an issue.  My doctor suggested trying paper patches, a temporary solution.  This was an in-office procedure that took minutes.  When he was done he and my husband were talking and I had to stop them to let them know that they were both significantly louder.  I was so excited!  

One month later, my hearing wasn't good again and the doctor showed me how the paper patches were no longer covering the holes in my eardrums.  

He actually has a little camera and shows me the inside of my ear canal every time I see him.  It's very cool!

He asked if I wanted to have the tympanoplasty, a surgical solution to repair the holes in my eardrums.  

Yes, please!

So, a little over a month ago I had the surgery.  A graft was taken from behind my ear and used to patch the hole in my left ear (you can only do one ear at a time).  

Recovery is slow.  There's been no bending or lifting and I have to be careful of sneezing. Also, I can NOT get the ear wet! He recommended these earplugs and these little shower caps for your ears.  It's like prepping for a deep-sea dive every time I take a shower! HA!

My ear was packed with foam for 3 weeks and when he removed it and showed my my new eardrum all I could say was, "Wow!  That's really red and angry-looking."  He assured me it was because it was new.

So, now we wait.  It can take a few months for hearing to improve but I am hopeful since the paper patches made such a difference.  I see him in September for my follow-up and hopefully my hearing will be improving by then!

Whew!  That was longer than I thought and there are lots of details I didn't even include!

The rest of the post will be shorter - I promise!

Keepin' It Real

It's hard to believe I started this blog almost 12 years ago.  I had absolutely no idea what I was doing (and in all honesty, I still don't).  I had just retired from a teaching career and thought a blog would be a great way to share about life at the little cottage we bought for our retirement.    

Three cottages later, many things have changed, but the one thing that hasn't changed is my commitment to 'keepin' in real'.   I've always shared my house projects, DIY's, furniture makeovers and more with complete transparency.  I've shared what worked and what didn't work, because, after all, that's reality, not AI.

Over the years, many bloggers decided to monetize their blogs.  Ads, digital products, and affiliate marketing all became a part of the blogging world.  I resisted it because that was not the focus of my blog and, in all honesty, I didn't want to worry about SEO, traffic, or search engines.  

I'm retired and I didn't want another job!  

I also didn't want my blog to have ads popping up over my content.  Just not my style.

A while back, I did 'cave' and became an Amazon Associate.  In my posts, you've probably seen the text in blue that will lead you to a product on Amazon that I used in that project.  That's my limit.

Now I know it's not polite to talk about money (at least that's what I was taught.) but if I told you how much (or should I say 'little') I make in a year from those links you'd laugh.  Let me just say, any click on my links is appreciated. Prime Days are coming up in a few days and no, I won't be sharing a 'Favorite Prime  Purchases' post.  Again, not my style. I'm a teacher, not a salesperson.

So, please come back.  Read about my latest project or adventure. Maybe click a link and/or leave me a comment?  Why?  Because I hope I'll teach you something, or at least share something fun and I love hearing from you!

Life at the Cottage

Since I've been a bit limited due to my ear surgery, I haven't done a lot of creating, but I've managed to get a few shots of butterflies in my garden!

I'm thinking this garden should be named "The Butterfly Garden".  We've also seen a hummingbird but he's a little camera-shy!

We went to an estate sale this week and I picked up a few goodies:

Lots of lace for future craft projects.

Always needed for a wine bottle wind chime!

The sweetest little flower pot!

So, that's life lately.  I have a few ideas for some projects and makeovers so I'd better get busy. My doctor said I can start to bend and lift - slowly and gently - I don't want to put a lot of pressure on that new eardrum. 

Fortunately I have a wonderful husband who is always there to help and believe me, he was doing EVERYTHING around here for a while.  I'm a lucky gal!

Have a great week, Everyone and I'll see you soon!

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