Ponder with Pamela

Tag: #HonestBlogging

  • From Leaks to Little Wins

    From Leaks to Little Wins

    May 21, 2025

    Unexpected Plumbing Disaster (& How I Handled It)
    Today got away from me. Life decided to throw a curveball.Ā Everything was going fine until I went downstairs to do laundry. Thatā€™s when I discovered water leaking into the basement from the kitchen sink. šŸ˜¬

    Quick Fix: How I Scheduled an Emergency Plumber

    Thankfully, I managed to book a last-minute appointment with Eco Plumbers for tomorrow. Pro tip for plumbing emergencies: Call early in the day for faster service! In a house with four people, dishes pile up quick (and a broken sink is a nightmare). Fingers crossed they can fix it without too much hassle.

    Side note: Eco Plumbers had same-day availability, which is a lifesaver for busy families.

    Chronic Pain & Weather: Why Rain Makes Everything Worse

    Between the leak and theĀ cool, rainy weather, Iā€™ve been feeling drained and inĀ extra pain.Ā Fun fact (or not-so-fun):Ā Studies showĀ changes in barometric pressure can worsen joint pain and fatigue, and my body is proof. When itā€™s gray and damp, I feel itĀ in my muscles, energy levels, and mood.Ā Counting down the days until sunny spring weatherĀ arrives so I can throw the windows open! šŸŒ¤ļø

    Better days are coming. I can feel it. ā˜€ļø

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow. šŸ’œ

  • šŸŒ§ļø Today was one of those days

    šŸŒ§ļø Today was one of those days

    May 20, 2025

    The rain came and went and so did my energy. I was in a lot of pain and barely slept last night, so productivity took a backseat.

    I managed to submit a few job applications. The rest of the day was all about Netflix, rest, and cuddles with my daughter and our pups.

    Sometimes, thatā€™s enough. šŸ’™

    Hereā€™s to giving ourselves grace when our bodies say slow down.

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow.Ā šŸ’œ

  • From Factory Floors to Freedom: Why Working from Home Changed Everything for Me

    From Factory Floors to Freedom: Why Working from Home Changed Everything for Me

    May 19, 2025

    There are days I miss parts of my old job at Electripack. I miss the routine, the familiarity, and all of the people. However, the truth is that working from home has been one of the best things Iā€™ve done for my health.

    When you live with chronic illnesses, traditional jobs donā€™t always fit. Pushing through pain, hiding fatigue, and pretending youā€™re okay when youā€™re not takes a toll. Now, I can rest when I need to. Work when I feel my best, and give myself grace on the harder days.

    This flexibility has allowed me to do more than just work. Itā€™s also helped me grow. Iā€™ve started a blog, Iā€™m writing a book, and even enrolled in digital marketing training. Iā€™m still hustling, but itā€™s on my terms now. And that freedom? Thatā€™s everything.

    If youā€™re navigating work and chronic illness, I see you. And there are options out there that support you instead of draining you.

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow.Ā šŸ’œ

  • Sunday Reset: A Little Rest, A Little Progress

    Sunday Reset: A Little Rest, A Little Progress

    May 18, 2025

    I spent most of today relaxing, but I still managed to get a few things done.

    I made lunch today to give my husband a break from cooking. He usually does all of it. The planning, the grocery shopping, and the cooking, because he genuinely enjoys it. But even when you love something, everyone needs a break now and then. (Yes, heā€™s amazing ā€” and no, heā€™s mine. šŸ˜‰)

    I got the laundry folded and put away. Cleaned up the fluff that Zoey left behind after destroying yet another stuffed animal. I also spent some time binge-watching Netflix with my daughter. Sheā€™s still in pain, but the swelling has decreased somewhat. The Aleve they gave her is helping with both the pain and inflammation.

    I also signed up for a free Digital Marketing course through HubSpot Academy. I figured it would be a great way to stay productive while I wait on my exam results for the new job. Iā€™m excited to learn something new and see how I can apply it to everything Iā€™m building.

    It wasnā€™t a busy day ā€” but it was a full one, in all the right ways. šŸ’›

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow.Ā šŸ’œ

  • Hurting, But Hanging In

    Hurting, But Hanging In

    May 16, 2025

    Today was an okay day. I was in a lot of pain, and it was hard to get much done today. I did get the second exam for my job done, and started working on the third one. I just couldn’t concentrate, so I’ll get it done tomorrow.Ā 

    I honestly can’t wait to get to bed and try my new pillows out. Fingers-crossed that they help with my neck and shoulder pain. It was excruciating today. Wound up with a headache too. 

    I would write more, but I just don’t have it in me. Have a great night everybody, and enjoy your Saturday. I’ll be back tomorrow evening. 

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow.Ā šŸ’œ

  • Cuddles, Calm, and a New Chapter

    Cuddles, Calm, and a New Chapter

    May 13, 2025

    Today was a pretty good day. My daughter and I binge-watched Orange is the New Black and just relaxed. I got some extra cuddles from my fur babies too, which is always a bonus.

    I did finally receive the General Guidelines file Iā€™d been waiting for, later in the day,Ā of course. By that point, I decided to wait until tomorrow to really start digging into it. Thereā€™s a lot to go over, and I want to be fully focused.

    Plus, I was just enjoying the time with all of my kids. I donā€™t feel like Iā€™ve had much of that lately. I was working almost 60 hours a week at my previous job, plus working on my book and working on my blog. It an all be a lot at times, but I enjoy it.

    Iā€™m genuinely excited to get through this final exam and finally get back to work. I have a good feeling about this job. It already feels like Iā€™ll have way more support than I had at my last one.

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow.Ā šŸ’œ

  • Sleepy Sunday

    Sleepy Sunday

    May 11, 2025

    Today was all about relaxing after a busy and emotionally draining week. I spent time watching our favorite shows with my daughter and cuddling with my fur babies.

    šŸ¾Ā This is Diesel, but we call him Deezy. Heā€™s part Lab and part Pitt, and heā€™s my old man. Iā€™ve had him since he was 9 months old, and he just turned 13. These days, he spends most of his time sleeping and has trouble with stairs, but he still manages to play with his little sister Zoey.

    šŸ¾Ā And this is Zoey.Ā Sheā€™s mostly pittie. We adopted her when she was about 9 months old, too, and sheā€™s almost 4 now. Zoey is pure joy and absolutely loves her cuddles. When we first brought her home, she needed to sleep under a blanket and pressed up against one of us, either me, my husband, or our daughter. She still likes to sleep under a blanket at night, but during the day sheā€™ll nap just about anywhere.

    As you can see, they took full advantage of ā€œSleepy Sunday.ā€ šŸ’¤ Around here, that means naps and rest, not just to recover from the past week, but to recharge for the one ahead.

    I hope youā€™ve had a chance to recharge today too.

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow.Ā šŸ’œ

  • Overcoming Challenges: A Day of Triumph

    Overcoming Challenges: A Day of Triumph

    May 10, 2025

    Today feltā€¦ surprisingly okay. Maybe even good-ish.

    I went grocery shopping with my husband this morning. Something I used to do all the time, but now itā€™s draining in a way thatā€™s hard to explain. But I felt decent when I woke up, so I went. And Iā€™m glad I did.

    And thenā€¦ I passed the test.

    The one that knocked me down yesterday? I passed it today! With just one question missed. And I made sure to use that review screen before submitting this time. Lesson learned.

    So yeah, today wasnā€™t perfect. But it was full of little victories. And honestly, Iā€™ll take that.

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow.Ā šŸ’œ

  • When You Know the Answerā€¦ and Still Fail the Quiz

    When You Know the Answerā€¦ and Still Fail the Quiz

    May 9, 2025

    Today was frustrating.

    Iā€™m in the middle of training for a new company Iā€™d really like to work for. There are four training modules, each with a quiz, and after that, I get two detailed manuals to study before I take a final test and (hopefully) start working on projects.

    I passed the first two quizzes, but honestly? I thought I would do better. This company is a lot more detail-oriented than Iā€™m used to.

    So when I got to the third module, I slowed down. I took notes. I double-checked everything. I even did great on the two practice questions.

    When I went to take the quiz, I felt confident! I thought I nailed it. But then? I didnā€™t pass.

    When I looked at the results, I was stunned. I couldā€™ve sworn I clicked the correct answers. My notes matched. My understanding was solid. And yetā€¦ There it was. Wrong.

    Iā€™m disappointed in myself ā€” even though logically, I know I shouldnā€™t be. I knew the answers. I just donā€™t know what went wrong. Iā€™ll probably try again tomorrow, but today? Iā€™m letting myself feel it.

    Sometimes itā€™s not about failing. Itā€™s about feeling like you did everything right and still didnā€™t get the result you deserved.

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow.Ā šŸ’œ

  • How Iā€™m Rebuilding After Being Ghosted by My Remote Job

    How Iā€™m Rebuilding After Being Ghosted by My Remote Job

    Ponderings from May 8, 2025

    This has been a really stressful week for me, and Iā€™ve had to hit pause more than once. Iā€™m working full-time from home now because my day job was suddenly phased out, with no warning.

    I was already doing part-time work remotely, but earlier this week, while trying to submit my work, my screen suddenly blanked out. Just like that, I couldnā€™t access anything. Iā€™ve earned no income this week and honestly, itā€™s been depressing.

    To top it off, I havenā€™t heard a word from the company. No explanation, no goodbye, just silence. Iā€™ve officially been ghosted by a job I was working nearly 60 hours a week for. Itā€™s frustrating and unprofessional, and it stings more than I expected.

    Iā€™ve spent a lot of time sleeping this week. As someone living with multiple chronic illnesses, that kind of shutdown makes everything harder, physically and mentally.

    Still, Iā€™ve been pushing forward, filling out job applications every day. I finally heard back from one company today, and Iā€™m going through their training program now. So fingers crossed, Iā€™m hopeful this might be a fresh start.

    Whatā€™s gotten me through? My family (including my two fur babies) and music, especially Jelly Roll. His song ā€œI Am Not Okayā€ was my anthem this week. His lyrics hit so differently when youā€™re going through it.

    On a lighter note, Iā€™m also an Amazon Affiliate, and Iā€™ll be sharing products I personally use and recommend. Iā€™ll add new finds as I order them, and once Iā€™ve used them for a week or two, Iā€™ll post honest reviews right here. If you see a product listed without a review yet, itā€™s something Iā€™m currently trying out!

    Thanks for being here and following along. This space helps me process, reflect, and connect.

    The dogs are snoring. Iā€™m signing off. See you tomorrow.Ā šŸ’œ