Well, Hello 2025

Here we are, venturing into another year of uncertainty and hopes! I want to say that every year is a rollercoaster of emotions and adventures, so I'm expecting this year to be another one of those. I have to say, things have gotten a lot more mellow in my life *knock on wood* and I don't really have any complaints. There are challenges here and there, but I wouldn't say it's anything unmanageable.

I realized that the older we got, the less festive "big" celebrations have become. I know that it's not the case for everyone, and it's a bit sad come to think of it. A lot of people are working on these holidays, they're not really holidays anymore. Bear was also working on NYE and NY, so we didn't really have plans to go out.

On New Year's Day, however, we did go to one of my favorite local places in Oshkosh - Pete's Garage. I have to say, they have one of the best cheese curds in town! Now, mind you, this place isn't like any other bars because they definitely have that (how do I describe this) sarcastic sense of humor. Now, they won't berate you like one of those places where they will talk shit and yell at you. This is more of a... they're sarcastic jerks with great food. So be warned, if this isn't your cup of tea send someone to order to just one person takes the hit for the team because you'd still not want to miss their food.​

Anyways, back to dramatic realizations...

Food always gets me distracted. Clearly.

​Anyways, so I was saying - I am looking forward to a bright year ahead, whatever it may be. I'm not one to give up hope on things and I know some events occur for the better. 2024 ended on a bittersweet note regarding some aspects of this fragile life of mine. Overdramatic. It got me thinking about a lot of things and also made me come to realize that at this age I should've been wise, but here I was naive and too trusting.

I told myself this many times before, and I tend to forget when things are seemingly great. Don't trust everyone, or just anyone. I hate to say that it sounds like a very negative view in life - unfortunately, life is too real and this is just, well, reality. 2025 is yet another year I should stay vigilant.

Embracing ADHD

​I never really thought this is something I would say, nor talk about, because of the stigma when it comes to mental illnesses. I am not ashamed of it, but a lot of people still look at it as people trying to get away from taking accountability. Therefore, it felt like an excuse. I never bothered to get a task, go to therapy, and I never labeled myself anything. I was just me - clumsy, many times lazy, mostly slow in catching jokes, and so forth.

Well that recently changed.

As I waded through the weeds of the swampy aspect of my life, Bear encouraged me to give it a try - I needed help. Long story short, I got evaluated, did several tests, and well, lo and behold - I am not slightly surprised yet faking denial.

I was diagnosed with Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type F90.2 - which is when a person exhibits symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity-impulsivity simultaneously; essentially, the everything ADHD. There is also another aspect I want to explore in this spectrum I am, as it appears I also exhibit symptoms of AuADHD - which is Autism plus ADHD. Now, now, like I mentioned I do not like labelling myself, but learning all these things explain a lot of my so-called quirks, why I've been quite different from most of my friends, and why I do (or not do) certain things.

The sad part about this, is that not everyone truly believes that this exists. I recently read a friend's post wherein they claim ADHD is fake diagnosis to get kids into medication. I never had medication, and learned to "wing" it my whole life. I don't really plan to get medication, but I do believe I will strongly benefit from therapy. 

Amid all these, personally the most important part for myself is acceptance. I am learning ways to adjust and better ways to work around my issues. Medical help is expensive, so I am doing more research, using free apps, and basically working with what I have to make life better. 

I also discovered noise-cancelling headphones. The best. The tinnitus tho? The worst.

I've probably mentioned it before, but I think my husband's burgers are the best. Maybe there is some bias into it, but he does make the most flavorful, savory burgers ever. See, I'm not a burger person, or a bread person to say the least, and here I am loving these so much. Now, they pair really well with pretzel buns, and a good sipping cream. Or beer, whichever works.

Bear's Burgers

I sure can't wait for summer so we can start grilling outside more often. With this cold, we're just doing some indoor grilling - which some of you would say is "fake grilling" lol but oh well! Still the bestest burgers!