Reflections of katlupe: May 2026

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Making Kitchen Chores Easier

Since I cook often I usually end up with dishes and pans to wash almost daily. For the longest time my sink and area for the dish drainer was very cramped. It is a small kitchen with a single sink and limited space for the drainer. I have always had the dish drainer on my right because I am right handed. It seemed to work good for me like that. When I moved here I bought the smallest dish drainer I could find. It worked okay. Except that I had to put a dish towel on the counter and put larger items such as pots and pans there. Last year I decided to update my kitchen and bought a larger dish drainer with a mat that sits under it for the water to drain into the sink. It was pricey but well worth it.

Cutlery Baskets with Dish Drainer

The dish drainer came with a small cutlery basket. I added another one that is larger. I wish I had done that sooner. These items have made doing my dishes so much easier. No longer am I stressed out trying to pile everything in that tiny drainer. I also changed the sides where I put the dish drainer. It is now on my left and I have adapted to it. It is funny how simple changes can make such a difference in my daily life. Everything fits in the new dish drainer. Even the blender and the inner pot and lid of the Instant Pot. All in one place!

Dish Cloth Drying Rack

To complete the dish washing chore is the dishcloth drying rack. I bought that when I moved here so it is not new. It has been a handy item to have and I cannot imagine not having it. I know these days it is rare for someone to wash their dishes by hand. I have been doing it for years though and is no big deal for me. I have had dishwashers in my past but at this time of my life I don't need one. Since I am only cooking for one, for myself, I don't really have that much to wash. I try to limit how many dishes, silverware or pans I use.

Touch the lid and it opens!

At the same time that I bought the dish drainer I replaced the garbage can in my kitchen. The one I had was not really a garbage can but a tote with a lid. It was small and I had it sitting on a stool. I would get so mad at it because I would want to put something in it and had to use two hands to open it. I decided to replace it with a normal kitchen garbage can. It is the type with a lid that opens on its own if you touch it. Actually this thing opens on its own without me even touching it. I now keep a rock on it so it won't open. When I am working in the kitchen I keep the rock off it. If something has a problem I usually find a way around it.

Sink Strainer & Plug

I try to wash dishes after every meal so that I can keep up with it. I hate to see my sink full of dirty dishes. Another thing I bought is a stainless steel sink plug and a strainer for the sink. That makes a big difference. If you are dreading the clean up after a meal you can wash what you use to prepare it as you go. That way when you are finished eating you can wash the small amount of dishes and silverware you used. I like to keep a dishpan of hot soapy water in the sink during the whole process. Immediately after eating I clear my table and wash the dishes. All done! Easy to do!

Thursday, May 07, 2026

Technology Is Now A Way Of Life For Me

My Technology Hub

I have a love hate relationship with technology. Having always heard people talking against it, yet they are the very people who use it. They depend on some form of it in their own lives. It is everywhere you go and even if you say you don't want to use it how can you not? Whether you admit it or not, it does make our lives easier. As a person with limited mobility I could not do all the things I have to do without it. Without it I would have to own a car or pay for transportation to do routine errands. When you think about it, all the tasks we think of as old fashioned were once considered modern technology of the future. Now we are saying the same thing about newer technology. I know, I do it too!

The Energy System

I can honestly say I have lived without any modern conveniences as you know, if you have followed my blog for any length of time. It was not easy for me as I started having problems with my knees. At that time I did not know I had Lymphedema. Just thought it was menopause. I would get so hot I would turn red and my feet would swell. The first year I moved into my apartment, I was so thankful for the modern technology of air conditioning and running water so I could shower. The technology that people are complaining about though is not those types of things. Yet living without modern conveniences on my homestead was not truly old fashioned. I had a solar and wind energy system to run the computers, lighting and refrigerator. I admit that was not what I pictured my life to be when moving there. I thought it was going to be a real "homestead". With a propane refrigerator and cooking range.

Nine Remotes!

I cannot count the many types of technology I use in my small studio apartment. I have so many remote controls I can barely keep track of them. Actually it is 10! But none of those things are connected to the internet or my telephone. Except for the television which runs off the Amazon Fire Stick. It makes living alone here easier for me. More affordable also. There are many people who may not know how to use the internet to do things they need to do. Like banking, paying bills, purchasing groceries to be delivered, entertainment, shopping for the exact item they want and can't find locally, ordering take out food from local restaurants, listening to music and most important....socializing. Yes, it is all out there waiting for you to discover it.

CD Player & Television

If you do not want to learn how to do these things you are not only behind the times but stuck when you need it. Such as the changes in the way various things become more dependent on technology. I saw it happen with music going from vinyl records to streaming. Television is all different now. I have been using a computer since 1994 and never looked back. It is my lifeline to the world! I have friends who I have met online only and yes, they are real friends. I have reconnected with many friends from school and talk to them almost daily. I love them all and feel my friendship with all of them is something I treasure.

My Kindle Fire

You do not have to take part in all of the new modern technology if you choose not to. I don't. I am not one for telephones. My phone is used for talking and some texting. I am not going to write a bunch of text messages to anyone. Mainly the text part is for deliveries and appointments. Some people only have a telephone and that is their internet connection as well as their camera. I don't enjoy it so I don't use it. The computer is my safety spot. I don't participate in "zoom" calls or "live" conversations if I have to be on camera. I don't play any kind of games. I do enjoy using a Kindle Fire for reading books. I do not want to accumulate a lot of things in my apartment now. Including books. I just purchased a new Kindle Fire 10 because they are discontinuing support for my old one that I got in 2011. But I will still use it as well as the new one. I keep learning how to use various technologies to improve my life. Not to keep up with anyone. Just at my own pace.

Wednesday, May 06, 2026

Learning How To Put Together New Products I Purchase Online

Living alone in your seventies can be challenging at times. No matter what, there are things that must be done and I am the only one to do them. Many times I complain to myself that I need help. Maybe an aide? Later after I have figured out how to do whatever it was I am pleased with myself. I accomplished that chore, job, project, etc. on my own. Learning to count on yourself establishes your independence. In life I have learned you cannot count on anyone else. When I order something and it is delivered I can't wait to start using it. I don't want to wait for someone else to come here to put it together. I need to do it myself.

Mattress in the box.

In fact, I am tested every time I order something on Amazon that I have to put together. My son did help me with the mattress that came vacuum packed in a box. My bed was delivered by the furniture store so they put it together and showed me how to use it. Other than those things I have been putting my purchases together myself. I follow the directions that come with the product the best I can. My whole life before moving here I was never mechanical. I always had someone else in my life to do those things for me. When I was single it was my father who did those things for me. He kept my cars running and did all the preventative or repairs on them.

Directions for computer chair

Last year I purchased a good set of screwdrivers. I have been making use of them. Now I am thinking I need to buy a toolbox. The first year I moved here I had a time assembling a shower chair I had bought. Even following the directions that came with it. Was not easy but I did it. I am still using that shower chair and it is sturdy and safe. In the last 3 months I have purchased at least five products that needed to be put together before using. Presently I have a new brake cable assembly to put on my rollator walker. I just have to get brave enough to start on it. It looks easy but if I can't get it to work the walker will not be usable. This walker is my lifeline! It is the first one I got. I purchased a second one but the newer models are not as good as the older ones. So I am hesitant about taking it apart. Yes, I had to put the second one together myself.

This is not to say that I never put anything together before. I did. In fact, when I first got my pet house rabbit, "Rabbit" I purchased an a-frame cage for him. I had to put that together because I was eager to start using it and did not want to wait for my husband to have time to do it. That cage is still standing and as good as it was when I first got it. Some products come with good directions and others with nothing at all. If they at least have all the parts, including the screws, I can figure it out now. Sometimes I have to find a video on how to put something together. There are usually a few on most products. It is not easy at times but I have to at least try.

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