Fiercely Independent Pam

Category: helpful products

  • Rosary In A Year: Finding My Way!

    On January 1, 2025, I started something new. I thought it was just going to be something different, but I never expected it change me the way that it has. I decided to “jump on the train” and complete the “Rosary in A Year with Ascension Press.” This podcast/prayer plan was going to be my way to bring forward my Catholic faith more this calendar year.

    I have written about being a “Cradle Catholic” before and love my faith. I have always loved the prayers of the Most Holy Rosary and my favorite devotion is that of “Mary Undoer of Knots. Like most Catholics, the Rosary is something that is picked up in fervor during tough times and unfortunately forgotten about when needing to make prayers of Thanksgiving.

    So, when I found out about the “Rosary in a Year” program, I was in! I quickly downloaded the prayer guide, subscribed the podcast, and I was “In.” The plan was well thought of, gentle and totally doable. I love the devotion of Fr, Mark-Mary Ames. Through story telling, scripture readings, works or art, saint reflections and more, I have learned so much about the Holy Rosary, Mary, and Jesus. I have grown closer to my faith, the ability to say yes to God, and how to rally my life’s challenges.

    Each morning, I wake up and put the podcast on. I love that I finally have a morning prayer ritual. The timings have always felt just right while working up prayer muscles to a full Rosary. Having led countless Rosaries at school, I never have felt so connected to the prayers, devotions, and meanings behind both. All of this was accomplished “Little By Little” as Fr. Mark-Mary says. It hasn’t been perfect, but I keep coming back to it!

    I also learned how to complete something. So often. we are challenged to try something long term and it just doesn’t work out.We give up and it’s one more unfinished business item. The power of this podcast is that, even when I missed a day or even a week, I could still pick it back up and catch up. I was successful!

    So, if you are new or old to the Rosary, looking for a prayer routine, or just don’t know where to turn, try this out. I promise it’s time well spent.

  • “B” is for Bee AI Wearable, Mostly a Love Story!

    My newest toy is our second selected product in my series- The ABC’s of My Favorite Products. I wanted something to help me “jump” into the world of AI that would actually help me accomplish something I couldn’t do a well on my own. I decided that some sort of recorder that could summarize my health appointments would be super helpful because I always think I will remember what the provider said, but I don’t. I’m also not the best at taking notes at the time. I looked at Bee and the Plaud.

    So I did some good research and didn’t want to break the bank. I decided on the Bee. It was on backorder for a little bit, but is now shipping on a regular basis. I waited about three weeks for mine to come in and quickly opened the box so that I could try it out!

    After a quick charge (USB-C), a download from the appstore (it’s only available for iPhone right now), I was able to quickly pair it via bluetooth to my phone. In the box, I found the device, two different bands (black and yellow), a clip, some fun stickers, and a quick start guide. I wear a lot of things on my wrist already, so I decided to go with the clip. I first stuck the Bee on my life alert pendant, but didn’t like that too much, so it now lives on my key chain.

    The set up was very easy, including training it to learn my voice. The app is simple and intuitive. The real “magic” was when I used it for my first doctor’s appointment, a telehealth with my urologist. After attaining permission (he asked first to use his AI device). I pressed the button on the Bee and it lit up green. No noises or anything distracting. It processed the conversation right away, facts about me were created (pending my approval), and a to-do list was also created. My favorite part was the summary I received the next morning. It was easy to read and captured not only the facts, but I was blown away by how it captured the mood/feelings of the conversation.

    I continued to use the Bee through several doctor’s appointments last week, and believe I have found the device I never knew I needed. The more it learns about me, the better the notes and to-do lists get.

    There is an obvious concern for privacy and safety when using any sort of recording device. I have made it a habit to ask permission before hitting the button and carefully read the notes. Bee has recently been acquired by Amazon, so the jury is still out about that upcoming change.

    In addition to loving about 95% of the product, I already had a scare about losing the Bee. It came out of the clip (a common concern online), luckily good old St. Anthony came to my rescue and I found the device on the floor of the exercise room. I am going to figure out a way to secure the Bee to the clip that still allows charging and swapping out to the wrist straps.

    Unfortunately, the affiliate and discount program is still in creation, so I do not have any discounts for you, but will update this as soon as I can. Do you use any sort of AI device? How do you keep track of the information shared during a doctor’s visit? Reach out if you have any questions about the Bee or if you are thinking of getting it or something similar.

    Attached below are some screenshots and pictures of my Bee device “in action.”

    Unboxing…
    The two wrist straps and quick start guide.
    The Bee on my key ring in the clip!
    An example of the building of my to-do list. (screenshot)
    The overview of the summaries.
    The summary that appears overnight! (screenshot) !

  • Two Different Lives: What a Difference a Shower Can Make!

    Today I did something I haven’t done in years. I took a shower two days in a row. This might seem trivial to most of you, unless you have chronic illness and/or pain, you wouldn’t understand. I am not ashamed to say that usually I can only manage two showers a week, and that is with caregiver help. These showers exhaust me to the point of needing to lie down and sleep immediately after most of the time.

    With the help of my medical team, we secured additional services to help with the showering. Mainly this consisted of an OT to teach me “tricks” that conserve energy while showering. Last week was a “dry run” and we problem solved some issues. I ordered a new shower caddy to limit the amount of twisting and bending to grab bottles, soap, and washcloths. The OT also shifted my handheld closer to my shower chair. I am still researching the best sponge with a handle type of thing to reach my back and legs for rough days. I’m also awaiting a new gadget to help with applying lotion by myself.

    I haven’t talked about it much, but I use a medical wearable called Visible that helps keep me on pace to conserve energy (think spoon theory meets technology). I’ll write a post and maybe a video that goes more in depth about this powerful tool, but for now, know that it is amazing and gives real, usable data to everyday symptoms. Previously, my showers cost me an average of 1.3 points (I only get 14 a day). After these changes by the OT, my shower this morning only cost me 0.8 points and more importantly, I didn’t end up crashing into bed after. Remember also that I showered yesterday as well.

    I sometimes talk about the life I used to have versus the life I have now. Neither is better than the other, it’s about what you make of it and knowing that God, above all else, puts you exactly where you need to be. In my “previous life” I jumped out of bed and showered every day, something I couldn’t do now, but you know what? Those showers in my “old life” often were the perfect environment for daily tears when I was completely overwhelmed by my job, my situation, and life in general. I couldn’t let others see this side of me so I had to hide, the shower provided the perfect place to do this.

    So, I might not be able to shower every morning after bounding out of bed, but I no longer hide and cry in the shower. Like I said before, neither is better than the other, but the wisdom lies in the perspective of having lived through both lives. Every season or life we live teaches us something, the trick is to try to learn the lesson at the time and not through hindsight.