Author Archives: Unconfirmed Bachelorette

About Unconfirmed Bachelorette

Unconfirmed Bachelorette, a/k/a Ella, is a 50-something-year-old lawyer who wishes fervently she could retire from the practice of law and write full time. Never-married-childfree Ella resides in Austin, Texas with her three fluffy black rescue cats and two interlopers.

Death by Chocolate

Posted on May 11, 2016

I drove to Houston Mother’s Day weekend for the second (and last) weekend of the estate sale. Mom’s been ill with another infection; one that has hit her especially hard. The new antibiotic, injectable Rocephin, was started on Friday before … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Elderly Parents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

To treat or not to treat

Posted on May 6, 2016

On Monday I got the dreaded call from assisted living (AL): mom fell again. She had a big bump on the back of her head. The AL nurse feared her hip was broken. So this time, unlike the last time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Assisted Living, Dementia, Dying, Elderly Parents | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Orange Dude, and other odds and ends

Posted on April 30, 2016

My sister and I have spent the past several months clearing out mom and dad’s house to get it ready to put on the market. Forty years and three thousand square feet of memories, junk, and a few treasures. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Rescue, Cats, Elderly Parents, Mid-Life | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Ella and Her Cat

Posted on April 24, 2016

As you probably have heard on the news, there have been lots of storms across Texas. So last Sunday, April 17, I brought the little cat inside. Again. Slippery slope, indeed. But instead of simply cratering to the cuteness, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Rescue, Cats | Tagged , | 37 Comments

Slippery Slope

Posted on April 11, 2016

I let the little stray cat in over the weekend to give the birds a break.              

Posted in Animal Rescue, Birds, Cats | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Blossoming Blossoms

Posted on April 10, 2016

It’s springtime in Central Texas. My favorite time of year. Bluebonnets and 70-degree days. Last year, I was working too much, and missed most of it. This year, I’m taking advantage of a slow patch, and enjoying every bit of … Continue reading →

Posted in Antidepressants, Attorney, BigLaw, BigLawBoss, Brintellix, Deplin, Depression, Diet, Exercise & Fitness, Flowers, Health, Mid-Life, Nature, Prediabetes, walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

About My Mother

Posted on March 13, 2016

My mother turned 80 last Saturday. In the weeks and days leading up to her birthday, I held my breath, hoping she would stay healthy enough to attend her birthday party. Each time I spoke with one of her caregivers … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Assisted Living, Dementia, Elder Care, Elderly Parents, Feeding Tube, Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 49 Comments

Better Living Through Science

Posted on February 21, 2016

I take back every bad thing I ever said about antidepressants. OK, maybe not everything. Abilify did make my hair fall out. Viibryd gave me sleestak dreams. Wellbutrin plugged me up until I began looking like a snake who’d swallowed … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcoholism, Antidepressants, BigLaw, Brintellix, Cats, CKD Cat, Death and Grief, Deplin, Depression, Grief, Prediabetes, Subcutaneous Fluids | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Cat Number 4?

Posted on January 30, 2016

Several months ago during a bad thunderstorm, I heard a loud, repeated thunking on the side of my condo. After the worst of the storm had passed, I went outside to investigate. Tucked behind the a/c, up against the side … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal Rescue, Cats | Tagged , , , , | 57 Comments

Mom and Sadie Health Reports

Posted on January 17, 2016

I think my mother has moved into the next phase of dementia. The end phase. Mom has had repeated infections over the past year: multiple urinary tract infections, and more recently, MRSA. The MRSA hospitalization over the Thanksgiving holiday appears … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Cats, CKD Cat, Dementia, Elderly Parents, Subcutaneous Fluids | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 47 Comments