What's Up Wednesday: January 2026
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Hello friends and Happy New Year!
I haven’t had a moment to consider blogging this past month and oooooo weeeeee where did the month go? The longest month of the year proved to be rather busy without a lot of time for productivity.
Even though this post will be shorter and sweeter than normal, I wanted to share it because I haven’t had time to share anything else lately…so let’s get to it.
I am linking up again to share my monthly recap on the last Wednesday of each month.
If you’re new(er) to my blog site, this is what we recap every month:
What I’m eating this week:
I ordered a bunch of groceries late last week ahead of the snow/ice storm that was approaching Texas. I wanted to be able to cook when places possibly shut down knowing I could use my gas stove. I’ve also wanted to cook for myself more because I’ve spent the past week(s) eating out every day with the social activities I had, or eating the leftovers.
So this week I will probably make ground turkey taco meat that I can eat with eggs or as tacos or whatever. It’s easy. I will also possibly make beef sausage and potatoes because I have them on hand.
Soon I will also make Mammaw’s meatballs because I’m craving them or possibly her meatloaf. I bought the items to make both. I also have the ingredients to make an easy (gluten free) ground beef & broccoli recipe I made years ago for my myself and my mom.
If I cook anything I will surely have leftovers so I will have to balance eating leftovers or freezing them. We shall see.
What I'm reminiscing about:
Lately I have been reminiscing about Loretta’s first year(s) with us. Her heart health and lung health has continued to decline and her episodes (passing out - sometimes screaming and peeing) have become more frequent and without a reasonable cause (as in, she wasn’t running or overly excited). Somehow the past 6ish years have flown by since we rescued her and Luigi on November 2nd, 2019.
When we rescued her she was very sick with heartworms, a mammary gland tumor, very underweight, missing the hair on her backend, needed to be spade, needed dental work, and was not very trusting of anyone and seems to have been abused/treated poorly. Two months later she got gastritis and battled that as well. She had to have a second round of heartworm treatments after the slow kill method did not eliminate the heartworms. She needed to be spade and have the tumor removed (it was benign). She had to have dental surgery. Years later she had another mammary gland tumor pop up and we had that removed (also benign). She did grow her hair back and she gained plenty of weight eating bountiful, healthy meals.
Our little lady is a tough cookie and always has been. She’s become more trusting and sweet and docile through the years as she began to trust everyone more. She’s a total princess and deserves every bit of it.
Time just goes by too fast.
What I'm loving:
I am loving winter. I said this last month and I am still sticking with it because this past weekend into this week has been a fun change of super cold weather.
I know many don’t feel the same way, but I personally love and appreciate any and all cold days that we get each year. It’s what makes the holidays feel like holidays (and they didn’t) and it’s what makes winter months feel like winter. Houston has sketchy weather and even sketchier seasons at best. So, a winter storm? YES, PLEASE. Cold, dark, and dreary? YES, PLEASE. Cold and rainy? YES, PLEASE. Cold and snowy/ice? YES, PLEASE.
What I've been up to:
1) I spent New Years Eve in New Jersey with a bestie and we went into Philly one of the days to do alllll of the Christmas things. Many restaurants and bars were still fully decorated and we loved every bit of it.
2) My family came to Houston and we did a lot of lunches, brunches, and dinners to visit and catch up. I also had lunches and brunches and dinners with friends and for the most part forgot to take any photos.
3) I did my best to keep up with a work out challenge I challenged another bestie with and then I was the one struggling to find the time between life things, family, appointments, and Loretta.
4) I had annual doctor appointments for myself and vet appointments for the pups. Loretta was sick for a handful of days which added some extra time and TLC for her additional medications. We didn’t figure out happened that caused her to behave so differently but after 3.5 days on antibiotics and pain meds she started acting like her usual self again and went straight into a string of days of 2-3 passing out episodes a day (again). Then she gets “better”…and then we have episodes. It’s been a stressful time.
What I'm dreading:
I try not to dread much, if at all. But, I’m human and I am dreading a very major, intensive, life changing, scary surgery one of my besties will have this month. I am very EAGER for it to happen as every second that passes is a second wasted. However, I am dreading it for her and all that comes with it mentally, physically, and emotionally. God is SO GOOD and we are clinging tightly with steadfast prayers and faith that He is covering her, protecting her, and that we will be singing Hallelujah when she is recovered and cancer free. If you’re reading this, I ask of you to please say a prayer for my dear friend.
What I'm working on:
I am not sure anymore as this month has been so wonky! I am working on getting back into my schedule/routine, working on fitness goals that went awry, working on sleep and skincare as 2026 goals, and working on rebalancing my goals and obligations as well. I’m not sure where any of that just came from but I haven’t had time to think too pointedly about it so I feel like those are honest answers to start with.
What I'm excited about:
I’m excited about traveling to Philadelphia with nine of my friends over Valentine’s Day. We will have silly Valentine’s (Galentine’s) fun, laughs, relaxation, heartfelt talks, great meals, and spa time.
What I'm watching/reading:
Watching:
Welp, yours truly hasn’t managed to watch anything this month which shouldn’t surprise you. But…I recently discussed my ongoing “To Watch” list that I keep adding to and I am most certain that I will select something to watch soon. Perhaps. Maybe.
Reading :
I recently finished Wedding Dashers. I’ve enjoyed it as the easy reading love story it is, as well as the different story line it offered. I appreciated the Library App recommending it to me.
I started reading Maybe Once, Maybe Twice on the Kindle/Library App while I run and also The Index of Self Destructive Acts in paperback.
You can click this link or scroll to the top of the page and click on “Books” to view all of the self-help books I’ve read if you are considering a topic and want a suggestion.
What I'm listening to:
I’ve been listening to my Spotify half marathon running playlist when I run and otherwise an occasional podcast if I’m driving. It’s been a wonky month!
What I'm wearing:
I’ve been adding more and more to my LTK profile throughout the month so you can always follow along with me there to see what outfits or home décor items I’m sharing! There are outfits on there that didn’t make it out of the house yet OR that I didn’t take a photo of when I wore it in real life.
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I know I mentioned a time or two above that life was busy and I forgot to take photos. I also didn’t wear many new nor significant outfits that made sense to share. I am totally OK with that and as always aim to recycle outfits or pieces of outfits if they’re still available.
There are many more outfits and home decor posts that I’ve shared on my LTK page in addition to these above. You do not pay anything extra to shop through my page there and setting up your profile is FREE. I earn a small commission from the various retailers for free marketing for them at no extra cost to you.
You can view most of these details on my LiketoKnow.It page OR email me. =)
What I'm doing this weekend:
I do not have many plans this weekend aside from the usual to-do’s but will be celebrating a bestie’s birthday.
What I'm looking forward to next month:
I am looking forward to Lorenzo’s birthday pawty and traveling with my large group of my friends..
What else is new:
That’s about it for now!
How was your month of January? Were you effected by the snow storm that crossed most of the US?
XOXO
