Category Archives: work

Getting 2026 Off to a Hopeful Start

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🌟 A Personal Note From the Little Old Lady on a Fixed Income

Hey there, my readers, friends, and family —

I’m popping in today with a little life update and a tiny request as I head into 2026 with hope, humor, and a dash of determination. Anyone living on Social Security knows the drill — it keeps the lights on, but it doesn’t exactly leave room for grand adventures or those lingering credit card ghosts from the “salad days.” My mom used to say she was “just a little old lady on a fixed income,” and we laughed, but now here I am, stepping into that same role with a smile and a shrug.

I am the new little old lady on a fixed income, and I’m asking for your help.

🌱 A New Creative Adventure (With a Little Real‑Life Honesty)

I’m genuinely encouraged by the entrepreneurial path I’m walking — even if it’s a little wobbly at times. Trevor, my e‑commerce consultant, keeps reminding me that Welcoming Haven is moving forward and that with patience, the sales will come.

Patience, however, has never been my strongest virtue.

So while Welcoming Haven continues to grow behind the scenes, I’ve started exploring something new — a creative adventure I didn’t even know existed a month ago: printables.

I had never heard of them, never bought one, and honestly couldn’t imagine paying to print something at home. But after watching feeds, ads, and trends, I realized there’s a whole world of helpful, fun, and beautifully simple digital products out there. And suddenly, ideas started bubbling up.

That’s how PrintableByDeborah was born — not as a big business push, but as a gentle side venture where I can create, experiment, and build something at my own pace.

🛒 What I’m Creating So Far

Right now, I’m keeping things light and manageable:

  • A bundle of cleaning checklists- Done and uploaded
  • Pantry labels you can download and print- Done and uploaded
  • A Valentine’s coupon book and a list of free or inexpensive date ideas
    • Perfect for the romantically challenged and the financially strapped – Still on the drawing board

This early stage isn’t about selling hard. It’s about learning, creating, and slowly building a brand people recognize when they see it.

💡 I’d Love Your Ideas

Since I’m still building up my shop, I’d love to hear from you.

What kinds of printables would make your life easier, more organized, or more fun?

  • Something for kids
  • Something for pets
  • Something for holidays
  • Something for home organization
  • Something just plain silly

You don’t need to buy anything — just toss ideas my way. Inspiration is the best gift you can give right now.

đź›’ A Soft Little Mention

If you do want to peek at the shop, it’s there — PrintableByDeborah on Etsy — slowly growing, one idea at a time. I’ll be adding new items every week as I build this brand into something recognizable and reliable.
No pressure. Just planting the seed.

❤️ Thanks for Walking With Me

Your support — in ideas, encouragement, or even just reading this post — means the world. I’m excited to see where this creative path leads, and I’m grateful to have you along for the ride.

Here’s to a light, hopeful, and creative start to 2026.
With love,
Deborah

 

2026 — Here We Go Again

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January 2nd: The Universe Sends Bills… and I Send Eye Rolls

When the Calendar Turns, So Do the Bills

January 2nd always arrives with the same energy as a cat knocking things off a counter: unbothered, unapologetic, and perfectly timed to remind me that the holidays are officially over.

The first envelopes of the year have already marched in — life insurance, car insurance, and the annual renewal for Around Dusty Roads. Nothing like a stack of bills to say, “Welcome to 2026, hope you enjoyed that week of cookies and denial.”

Dreams, Dial‑Up, and Digital Hustles

I had hoped Welcoming Haven would be covering at least one or two of these by now. Not a fortune — just enough to make me feel like the wheels were turning. But apparently the universe is still buffering. Maybe it’s on dial‑up.

And because I love a challenge, I’m also hustling to get my printable shop on Etsy up and running.

Another adventure, another learning curve, another chance to mutter “other people make this look so easy” while I drink my coffee and stare at my screen.

The Job Hunt: Now Featuring Dragons

People say, “Just get a job.”
Sure. And while I’m at it, I’ll adopt a dragon and learn to juggle flaming torches.

At my age, employers get nervous, and no one believes me when I say I’m not trying to run the place. I’m the former manager who wants the quiet corner job with no drama, no meetings, and no responsibility for anyone else’s meltdown. Is that so wrong?

Resumes, Missing Socks, and Writing Dreams

I’ve sent out more resumes than I care to admit. Most of them vanish into the digital void — probably hanging out with all my missing socks. I see ads for blog writers and think, “Well, I do write… but would I like writing for someone else?” Hard to say. I loved writing the Redfin newsletter, and now I have two blogs of my own, so clearly the writing bug is alive and well.

I once considered being a travel writer back when I was jetting around. But the Boston Globe wanted international stories, and newspapers were already starting to fade. Timing and I have always had a complicated relationship.

Jobs My Knees Would Like to Speak About

As for local jobs, Hannaford is hiring, but every position requires standing for long stretches. My knees have filed an official complaint about that. If I stand at the stove too long, they lock up like a rusty hinge — so even short shifts are out.

Still Moving Forward (With Coffee)

Which leaves me here: looking for remote work, building online projects, and hoping one of these seeds decides to sprout soon. I’m not panicking — just navigating. With coffee. And maybe a cookie.

So here’s to 2026: the year of trying, learning, adjusting, and laughing at the absurdity of it all. And if anyone has suggestions, encouragement, or a spare magic wand, I’m listening.

Excuse me now — I need to go buy my lottery ticket.

 

🎉 Happy New Year from Around Dusty Roads!

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Stepping Into 2026 With a Fresh Start

Happy New Year! January 1st is basically the world’s biggest “Let’s try that again,” and honestly, I love that energy. A brand‑new year feels like stepping onto a blank page—full of possibility, potential, and maybe even a few delightful surprises waiting in the margins. I hope everyone is kicking off 2026 with big dreams, bold ideas, and a little spark of excitement for what’s ahead.

A New Creative Chapter Begins

If you read my New Year’s Eve post, you might remember I hinted that something new was brewing behind the scenes. Well, today is the big reveal! Don’t worry—Welcoming Haven is still going strong. But over the past year, I’ve realized something important: I get so much more joy from writing blog posts, creating recipes, and sharing cozy content than I do from checking inventory every morning.

So instead of expanding Welcoming Haven in the traditional way, I decided to follow the path that felt more creative, more fun, and honestly, more me.

Introducing… Printable by Deborah!

Originally, I planned to create a Welcoming Haven spin‑off, but every name I loved was already taken. After a few rounds of brainstorming (and maybe a few eye rolls at the universe), I decided this new project deserved its own identity while still staying connected to Welcoming Haven.

And so, Printable by Deborah was born—a brand‑new Etsy shop filled with cozy, helpful, beautifully designed printables. You’ll still find it linked on my Welcoming Haven site, but it now has its own cheerful little home on Etsy:

👉 printablebydeborah.etsy.com

Meet the Mascot (Banner Steps Into the Spotlight)

Every creative shop needs a mascot, right? Since this project leans heavily into color and design, I chose Banner to represent the brand. Balboa will absolutely get his moment another day—this was purely a color‑palette decision, not favoritism. (He has been assured.) Check  out my Etsy Shop logo with Banner’s paw print of approval.

We’re Open for Business!

I’m thrilled to share that the shop is officially live! A handful of printables are already uploaded, and more are on the way. It feels like the perfect way to start the year—fresh, fun, and full of creative possibility.

Here’s to new beginnings, blank pages, and a wonderfully cozy 2026. Let the adventure begin!

Why I Still Believe in Welcoming Haven’s Future

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A Welcoming Haven Update

Hi Dear Readers,
In Around Dusty Roads tradition of full transparency, I’m sharing some of the challenges of building an online business. I do so not out of discouragement or frustration, but to offer insight into what you may encounter if you choose to join the ranks of e‑commerce.

 

Facing Early Challenges

In my previous post, 5 Truths About Success—And Why I’m Still Showing Up, I reflected on the realities of building Welcoming Haven. This week, I want to continue that conversation with an update. Building Welcoming Haven has been a challenge, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. The consultants I first worked with didn’t provide the ongoing support I expected. After searching online, I discovered many others had similar experiences. Although the consultants provided the basics for a viable business, which is why I don’t believe I was scammed, the fact remains that the lack of support ultimately taught me a hard lesson.  It’s a reminder that scams and unreliable services are out there, and caution is essential.

Finding Support in Shopify

Thankfully, Shopify offers strong resources and guidance. Shopify designs its platform to help stores succeed, and I find their support reassuring. Because they invest in the success of their merchants, I feel less alone in the process.”

Learning from Other Entrepreneurs

In the course of this journey, I also connected with another store owner who had struggled too. He told me his business turned around after working with a consultant recommended through Shopify. His store now grosses $20K a month! He kindly shared his consultant’s contact with me, and after a brief discussion, I decided to give it a try. (so much for caution)

A New Approach

This consultant works differently: only a minimal upfront investment for tools, and the rest on commission—no sales, no payment. Already, he’s boosted my product SEO scores from 60–70% to 90–100%, and is now focusing on marketing. More importantly, he’s responsive, confident, and delivers on his promises.

Looking Ahead

For the first time, it doesn’t feel so lonely. I have someone in my corner, and I’m hopeful that 2026 will be prosperous for both of us.

Let’s go, Welcoming Haven—your future is looking bright.

 

The Great Computer Caper

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The Great Computer Caper: A Tale of Cords, Confusion, and Cat Interference

There comes a time in every digital wanderer’s life when their trusty old computer begins to sound less like a machine and more like a wheezing accordion. Mine had started sighing audibly every time I opened a browser tab. It finally laid down its virtual head to enter sleep mode never to awaken again.  It was time.

Chapter One: The Seduction of Specs

I entered the electronics store with the confidence of someone who’d Googled “best computer for bloggers” exactly once. The sales associate greeted me with a smile that said, “I’m about to upsell you into oblivion.” Suddenly, I was knee-deep in acronyms—SSD, RAM, GPU—and nodding like I understood any of it. I picked the one that looked sleek and promised “lightning-fast performance,” which I later learned was code for “you’ll need a dongle for everything.”

Chapter Two: Setup or Summoning Ritual?

2+ Thousand Computer Wires Mess Royalty-Free Images, Stock Photos & Pictures | Shutterstock

Unboxing the new machine felt like opening a treasure chest—until I realized it had no USB ports. My printer, camera, and external hard drive stared at me like abandoned pets. I bought adapters. Then adapters for the adapters. Banner tried to chew one. Balboa sat on the keyboard and activated Siri in Spanish.

Chapter Three: The Migration Mayhem

Transferring files was less “drag and drop” and more “drag and sob.” My old computer refused to cooperate, like a jealous ex. Passwords were forgotten. Cloud backups were mysteriously missing. At one point, I considered hiring a teenage hacker or just starting a new life as a forest-dwelling poet.  Even after desperation forced me to JustAnswer  it took the technician 2 days to help me find my Lightroom app.

Chapter Four: Victory (Sort Of)

Eventually, everything was set up. The screen was crisp, the speed was glorious, and I could open ten tabs without hearing a death rattle. Sure, I still don’t know what half the icons do, and yes, I accidentally sent an email with a cat emoji signature. But I’m back online, baby.

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Have you survived your own tech upgrade saga—or are you still tangled in cords and confusion? Drop your story in the comments and let’s commiserate.
And if you’re looking for cat-proof cables, adapters that actually work, or a chair that won’t judge your posture, check out my favorite finds below. Banner and Balboa approved (mostly).

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Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through this link—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love and think you’ll enjoy too. Thanks for supporting Around Dusty Roads and helping keep the storytelling flowing

🪑 Chair of Champions

Ergonomic Synthetic Leather Gaming Chair
When your computer setup feels like a medieval quest, this chair is your throne. With diamond-stitched faux leather, a massaging lumbar cushion, and a retractable footrest, it’s built for bloggers, gamers, and anyone who’s ever Googled “how to sit like a human.” Banner may still try to chew the armrest, but at least you’ll be reclining in style.
Check it out

🖥️ The Comeback Computer

Gateway 23.8″ All-in-One Desktop
This sleek machine boots up faster than your cat can knock over a coffee mug. With a vivid Full HD display, AMD Ryzen 5 processor, and enough ports to make a dongle cry with joy, it’s the perfect upgrade for bloggers, creators, and digital wanderers. Comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse—because cords are so last meltdown.
Explore the specs

đź’Ľ The No-Frills Workhorse

15″ Windows 11 Laptop with Intel Pentium J3710
If you’re looking for a reliable laptop that won’t break the bank—or your back—this slim, featherweight machine delivers the essentials without the drama. With a crisp 1080p display, 256GB SSD, and 8GB RAM, it’s perfect for blogging, browsing, and battling inbox chaos. No flashy lights, no touch screen tantrums—just solid performance and a battery life that lasts longer than your average Zoom call. Bonus: it’s light enough for Balboa to nap on without triggering a system crash.
See the specs and snag the deal Here

Available at Welcominghaven.com